Key Stakeholder Message: Dr. Halida Hanum Akhter
Dr. Halida Hanum Akhter, Chairman, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS): I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the Bangladesh Urban Health Network (BUHN), Eminence Bangladesh, and all collaborating partners for organizing this timely knowledge-sharing session on mental health in urban communities. I also commend the keynote speaker and distinguished panelists for their thought-provoking presentations, which have highlighted both the growing burden of mental health challenges and the urgent need for collective action.
Bangladesh's health sector has achieved remarkable progress over the past few decades, particularly in reducing maternal and child mortality and expanding access to essential healthcare services. As our health system continues to evolve, our national priorities must also expand beyond traditional health indicators to embrace broader dimensions of well-being, including mental health, healthy ageing, and psychosocial resilience. Mental health is no longer a peripheral issue, it is a fundamental pillar of public health and an indispensable component of Universal Health Coverage. Our experience in strengthening maternal and reproductive health has demonstrated that the availability of effective interventions alone is not sufficient. Even well-established services such as antenatal care continue to face challenges related to utilization, quality, equity, and continuity of care. Similar barriers are likely to affect mental health services unless they are systematically integrated into the broader health system. This requires sustained political commitment, strong governance, adequate financing, and continuous monitoring to ensure that services reach those who need them most.
To achieve meaningful progress, mental health must be mainstreamed within Bangladesh's health sector planning and financing mechanisms. Integrating mental health into the Essential Service Package and national operational plans would ensure that it receives the policy priority, institutional ownership, accountability, and dedicated financial resources necessary for long-term implementation. Mental health should not remain a stand-alone programme; rather, it should become an integral part of primary healthcare and the continuum of care across all levels of the health system. Mental health affects every stage of life. Adolescents navigating social transitions, women facing multiple caregiving responsibilities, working adults experiencing occupational stress, older persons coping with isolation and chronic illness, and vulnerable populations exposed to poverty, displacement, or disasters all require appropriate mental health support. Addressing these diverse needs demands inclusive policies that recognize mental well-being as a universal public health concern and a prerequisite for sustainable national development. Strengthening the health workforce is equally critical. Healthcare providers from tertiary hospitals to district hospitals, Upazila Health Complexes, Union Health and Family Welfare Centres, and Community Clinics should be equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to identify, manage, and appropriately refer individuals experiencing mental health conditions. Capacity building, continuous professional development, multidisciplinary collaboration, and increased availability of specialized expertise will be essential to improving the quality and accessibility of mental healthcare services nationwide. At the same time, stronger evidence must guide our decisions. Comprehensive national data on the prevalence, distribution, determinants, and economic impact of mental health conditions remain limited. Expanding research, strengthening health information systems, and investing in implementation science will enable policymakers to design interventions that are evidence-based, context-specific, and responsive to the needs of different population groups. Reliable data are indispensable for effective planning, resource allocation, and programme evaluation. Moving forward, researchers, professional associations, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and development partners must work together to elevate mental health within the national policy agenda. Continued engagement with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Directorate General of Health Services, and other relevant government institutions will be essential to ensuring that mental health is fully integrated into national strategies, operational plans, and health budgets. Strong advocacy, supported by evidence and multisectoral collaboration, can help transform mental health from a neglected issue into a national development priority.
I congratulate BUHN and Eminence Bangladesh for providing a valuable platform that fosters dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaborative learning among diverse stakeholders. I encourage all partners to jointly develop a practical roadmap for advancing mental health in Bangladesh's urban and national health systems. Through sustained partnerships, coordinated advocacy, and evidence-informed policy action, we can build a more inclusive, resilient, and people-centred health system that ensures equitable access to quality mental health services for every citizen.
