Public health care system in Bangladesh: the role of public administration

Shakeel Mahmood, Member, Bangladesh Environmental Society

IN BANGLADESH, HEALTHCARE IS OFFERED EITHER THROUGH GOVERNMENT-RUN HOSPITALS OR THROUGH PRIVATELY RUN CLINICS. THIS PAPER LOOKS AT FACTUAL EVIDENCE TO DESCRIBE THE MAIN CHALLENGES FACING HEALTH CARE DELIVERY IN BANGLADESH, INCLUDING ABSENTEEISM, CORRUPTION, SHORTAGE OF DOCTORS/NURSES, INEFFICIENCY AND MISMANAGEMENT. THIS PAPER CONCLUDES THAT GOOD GOVERNANCE, INCLUDING TRAINING AND MONITORING, ALLOWING MORE NON-GOVERNMENTAL INVOLVEMENT AND THE NEEDS OF THE INFORMAL HEALTHCARE SERVICE PROVIDERS IS IMPORTANT IN ENSURING EFFECTIVE HEALTH CARE DELIVERY, AND THAT RETURNS TO INVESTMENTS IN HEALTH ARE LOW WHERE GOVERNANCE ISSUES ARE NOT ADDRESSED.