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PM-STATEMENT-UHC
PM for collective efforts to achieve UHC
NEW YORK, Sept 24, 2019 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has stressed
the need for collective efforts for ensuring universal health coverage (UHC),
saying that its benefits are global and fundamental to development.
“Benefits of universal health coverage are global and we need to work
collectively,” she said while delivering the national statement at the
plenary session of the High-level meeting on Universal Health Coverage (UHC)
at the Trusteeship Council in the UN Headquarters here on Monday afternoon
local time.
The premier added: “Collaboration amongst stakeholders around a common goal
like universal health coverage is fundamental to our development … we
should work together to achieve health for all.”
Pointing out that health is an integral part of the development journey,
she said it is essential for continued socioeconomic progress.
“Ensuring ‘Universal Health Coverage’ for all has assumed greater
importance. It also helps ensure access to quality health services without
adding financial hardship on the disadvantaged people in particular,” she
said.
In Bangladesh, the premier mentioned that in the face of all constraints
and limitations, the government has developed innovative ways to ensure
universal health coverage for all.
She said that government’s comprehensive support to health sector today
includes risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services
and access to safe, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines
for all.
“We had also promised to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable
diseases by one third through prevention and treatment as well as to promote
mental health and well-being by 2030,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said that when Awami League government assumed office in
1996, she accorded high priority to strengthening local community health
services.
“Acknowledging the critical role of health services at the grassroots
level, we introduced ‘Community Health Clinics’ (CHC) in 1998,” she said.
These clinics, she said, are model of public-private partnership where the
government provides skilled personnel, medicine and equipment and the local
people provide the land for the clinic.
In this connection, the prime minister said that the government had
planned to construct 14,890 community clinics all over the country,
especially in rural areas.
“So far 13,743 community clinics are functioning which provide services to
approximately 600,000 individuals daily,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said the clinics are accessible to 80 percent of the
population and are located within 30 minutes walking distance of their
residences.
She said it is estimated that on an average 40 patients receive service
from each clinic every day and 90 percent of them are women and children.
“Our efficient health planning and implementation has reduced maternal
mortality to 172, infant mortality to 24 and under-5 mortality to 31,” she
said.
The prime minister said in Bangladesh full vaccination coverage is now 82.3
percent, life expectancy is more than 72.8 years while fertility rate per
woman has dropped to 2.1.
“We’ve made commendable success in elimination of tuberculosis and
leprosy,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said that the government has already integrated the health-
related SDG targets into the long-term development plans.
“Our ‘Visions 2021′ and 2041’ have given top priority to health security.
As per our election manifesto 2018, we are planning to expand the universal
health coverage even further and make health service free for child under one
year and for elders over 65 years,” she said.
Climate Action Summit:
Later, the prime minister delivered a statement at the Climate Action
Summit at the General Assembly Hall in the UN Headquarters.
She said the impacts of climate change have been devastating the lives of
almost two billion people globally every year.
“Globally, frequency of extreme climate events is increasing. But in
Bangladesh, casualties are reduced to almost nil from hundreds of thousands
due to efficient early warning system,” she said.
The prime minister said Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries
to climate change. “We have adopted adaptation and resilience building
measures, including an 82-year Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100, to deal with
issues on climate change, natural disasters and water management,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said the government has built 4,291cyclone shelters and 523
flood shelters in the coastal areas to give refuge during disasters. Some 56
thousand volunteers are available to warn and facilitate preparation for
danger, she said.
The premier said she is delighted to launch today the Risk-informed Early
Action Partnership (REAP). It is an ambitious new initiative created by the
United Kingdom, Finland and the International Federation of the Red Cross and
Red Crescent Societies.
Sheikh Hasina said she is pleased to announce that over 50 countries and
over 20 other organisations are joining this partnership today at its launch.
“REAP aims to make one billion people around the world safer from disasters
by 2025 by bringing together the humanitarian, development and climate
communities,” she said.
The prime minister said Bangladesh has shown how a strong early warning
system and a coordinated approach in disaster management can make a big
difference.
“So, we have happily joined this initiative to share our experiences with
other vulnerable countries, as well as to learn from others in mitigating the
risks of future hazards,” she said.
The prime minister arrived here on Sunday afternoon on an eight-day
official visit to the USA to join the 74th Session of the UN General Assembly
(UNGA).
BSS/SH/GMR/BR/0840 hrs