ZCZC
BSS – 38
ADB-HEALTH-SERVICES
ADB signs MoU to support healthcare services under PPP
DHAKA, Dec 10, 2019 (BSS) – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the
government of Bangladesh today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to
jointly promote public-private partnership (PPP) projects in the country’s
health care sector.
Diagnostics and dialysis services would be the priority area to support
under the PPP arrangement, said a press release.
Under the MOU, ADB’s Office of Public-Private Partnership will identify,
prepare, and implement projects under PPP arrangements.
The tripartite MOU was signed at a ceremony in the city by Additional
Director General of health services (Administration) Professor Dr Nasima
Sultana, Director General of Bangladesh PPP Authority (PPPA) M Abul Bashar
and ADB Country Director for Bangladesh Manmohan Parkash.
Secretary of the Health Services Division of Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare M Ashadul Islam presided over the programme while Chief Executive
Officer of PPPA M Alkama Siddiqui was present.
“PPPs have the potential to unlock greater private sector investments and
efficiencies to complement ongoing government initiatives to improve the
quality and affordability of health care in Bangladesh,” said Parkash.
According to ADB, public health in Bangladesh has improved significantly
in recent decades due to high immunization, reduced infant and maternal
mortality, and lower fertility rates.
The World Health Organization said that the country’s remaining health
challenges include high incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as
heart attacks, chronic respiratory diseases, kidney diseases and diabetes.
PPPs would provide affordable and quality services to prevent and manage
NCDs, and be an alternative to public sector spending to build and operate
hospitals and health education facilities, said the press release.
BSS/PR/DH/ARS/1832 hrs