Review Roundtable: Health

On February 9th 2016 a review roundtable on “Smart Ways to Improve Health Outcomes in Bangladesh” brought together economists and sector experts to discuss preliminary findings of research, with the aim of getting inputs from sector experts as well as fellow economists in order to improve papers and their cost-benefits analysis.

The discussion was facilitated by Brad Wong, Chief Economist, Copenhagen Consensus Center and chaired by Prof. Abdul Bayes, Director, Research and Evaluation Division, BRAC. After a brief presentation on project background and present status, the researchers presented their initial research findings on Non Communicable Diseases, Primary Healthcare, Tuberculosis, Immunization, Child and Maternal Health. Largely, the initiative to find out smarter solution and design effective interventions was appreciated by the participating experts. From a Very interactive session, the most notable recommendation and suggestions came out regarding stopping tobacco consumption by increasing tax and price of tobacco and changing the behavior of the children; Community Involvement and Empowerment and Facility Based Delivery to reduce Neonatal and Antenatal disease; and reduce MDR TB by increasing more TB detection rate. 

Attendees emphasized “Immunization, Child and Maternal Health” as first and “Non Communicable disease” as second priority among four interventions. However, all attendees stressed on the collaborative efforts from government, Private sector, NGOs (National and International) to work on in solving Health problems in Bangladesh. 

Prominent Attendees 

Dr. Mahbub Elahi Chowdhury and Dr. Md. Yunus from ICDDR, B (International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research Bangladesh), Dr. Malabika Sarker from JPG, BRACU (James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC Institute of Global Health, BRAC University), Md. Rafiqul Islam Sarker from NIPORT (National Institute of Population Research and Training), Prof. Nazrul Islam from BSMMU (Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University), Prof. Dr. Ridwanur Rahman from Shaheed  Suhrawardy Medical College, Dr. Sohel Reza Chowdhury from  National Heart Foundation, Bangladesh, Dr. S.M. Shahidullah from  IPAS, Bangladesh, Dr. Md Jahangir Rashid from CBHC (Community Based Health Care), Dr. Momena Khatun GAC (Global Affairs Canada), Dr. Mesbah Uddin Ahmed from Gonosasthyo Samaj Vittick Medical College, Dr. Niaz from USAID along with other sector experts.