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Increasing out-of-pocket health expenditure

Industry: Healthcare, Healthcare & Pharma

Health experts have expressed their worries about the proposed budget for the health sector in Bangladesh, stating that it will further increase out-of-pocket health expenditure, placing a greater burden on the population. They fear that a significant number of people may fall into poverty due to the high cost of healthcare services. The government has allocated Tk 380.52 billion (5.0% of the total budget) for the fiscal year 2023-24, a slight decrease from the previous year. However, experts argue that the allocation falls short of addressing the need for additional funding to reform the health sector after the Covid-19 pandemic. The low budget allocation, coupled with high out-of-pocket expenses, hampers the provision of quality healthcare services and undermines progress in the sector. With less than 1.0% of GDP allocated to the health sector, Bangladesh lags behind the World Health Organisation’s recommendation of 5.0%. The experts emphasize the urgent need for reform and increased budgetary support to alleviate the financial burden on citizens and improve healthcare accessibility.

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