Health experts call for urgent reforms to improve urban health systems in low and middle-income countries, focusing on evidence-based policies to reduce health inequities.
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| Researchers and policymakers emphasize the importance of integrating public and private healthcare systems to improve access and reduce the burden on urban health services. Image: Provided |
Dhaka, Bangladesh — February 2, 2025:
Policymakers, development partners, and health experts from Bangladesh and around the world gathered in Dhaka for a policy dialogue on "Strengthening Urban Health Systems: Prospects & Challenges." The event, organized by ARK Foundation Bangladesh and the BRAC James P. Grant School of Public Health on January 30, 2025, addressed the critical health challenges facing urban populations in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). Participants emphasized the need for urgent, evidence-based policy reforms and program interventions to tackle urban health inequities.
According to the World Health Organization, of the 4.2 billion people living in cities, many face inadequate housing, poor transportation, insufficient sanitation, weak waste management, and air pollution, all of which pose serious health risks. The urban poor, in particular, struggle to access quality healthcare services.
Dr. Md. Enamul Haque, Director General of the Health Economics Unit at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, highlighted the limited implementation of health financing strategies and urban health policies in Bangladesh, despite their existence. He called for greater coordination among agencies working in urban areas to strengthen urban health systems.
Prof. Rumana Huque, Executive Director of ARK Foundation, emphasized the need to address the growing burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Bangladesh. She stressed the importance of strengthening urban primary health centers to provide effective NCD services and reduce out-of-pocket healthcare costs, ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare.
Participants also called for better coordination among government agencies, clearer roles in urban health management, and the expansion of national protocols for diabetes and hypertension in urban primary health centers. They advocated for linking private healthcare providers with the public health system and improving primary healthcare services to ease the strain on tertiary hospitals.
Prof. Helen Elsey, CHORUS Co-director, noted the growing reliance on private, NGO, and informal providers as urban populations increase and chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension become more prevalent. She emphasized the need for stronger linkages between public and private providers to ensure more effective healthcare delivery.
The event was part of the Community-led Responsive and Effective Urban Health Systems (CHORUS) research program, which includes Bangladesh, Ghana, Nigeria, and Nepal. CHORUS research found that poor urban residents often turn to private and informal healthcare providers due to the public sector’s inadequate resources and limited service availability.