Key Stakeholders Message of Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman

Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman
Executive Chairman, Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC)
Chief Guest – National Policy Dialogue on “Urban Health and Private Sector Engagement”
September 22, 2025 | Dr. Cecep Effendi Conference Hall, CIRDAP, Dhaka

Renowned economist Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman, Executive Chairman of the Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC), emphasized the urgent need to strengthen healthcare access and affordability in Bangladesh. Citing a recent study, he noted that 52% of households in the country have at least one member suffering from chronic diseases, many of whom require continuous and costly medication. He urged the introduction of targeted social programs to protect such families from the financial strain of long-term medicine purchases.

Dr. Rahman called for the establishment of a healthcare safety net, akin to existing social security programs, to ensure equitable access to affordable medicines for all citizens. Reflecting on the broader development landscape, the former Adviser to the Caretaker Government observed a lack of reform momentum across multiple sectors, cautioning that slow progress is a luxury the country can no longer afford.

He stressed that filling the 40% vacant positions in the healthcare sector could dramatically improve service delivery and accelerate national progress — even without major structural reforms. His message underscored the critical need for dynamic policy action, institutional efficiency, and strong public–private collaboration to meet the health challenges of a rapidly urbanizing Bangladesh.