The government has established a Health Affairs Reform Commission to propose reforms aimed at making health services more accessible and universal.
Professor AK Azad Khan, president of the Bangladesh Diabetic Somiti (BADAS), has been appointed as the chairperson of the commission.
The commission includes the following members – Dr Mohammad Zakir Hossain, professor, Department of Public Health and Informatics, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University; Professor Liaquat Ali, chairman, Pothikrit Foundation; Dr Saeba Akhter, gynaecologist; Dr Naila Zaman Khan, professor, Department of Pediatric Neuroscience, Dhaka Shishu(Children's) Hospital; ML Reza, former secretary; Dr Mozaherul Haque, former WHO regional adviser; Dr Azharul Islam, scientist, icddr,b; Dr Syed Mohammad Akram Hussain, professor, Square Cancer Centre, Square Hospital; Dr Syed Atiqul Haque, professor, Green Life Centre for Rheumatic Care and Research; Dr Ahmad Ehsanur Rahman, scientist, Child and Maternal Health Department, icddr,b; and Umayer Afif, fifth-year medical student, Dhaka Medical College.
As per the notification issued by the Cabinet Division following directives from the chief adviser, the commission will begin its work immediately.
It has been tasked with reviewing all relevant aspects of the health sector, gathering input from diverse stakeholders, and submitting a comprehensive report to the chief adviser within 90 days.
The initiative marks a significant step toward addressing systemic challenges in Bangladesh's healthcare sector.
A month after the uprising, the interim government formed six separate commissions focused on the constitution, electoral system, police, judiciary, anti-corruption measures, and public administration reforms. The work of these commissions is progressing at full pace.
Subsequently, on October 17, four additional commissions were announced. The Health Affairs Reform Commission is to be led by National Prof Dr A K Azad Khan, the Media Reform Commission by senior journalist Kamal Ahmed, the Labor Rights Reform Commission by Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, and the Women’s Affairs Reform Commission by Shireen Parveen Haque.
On October 31, it was decided to establish another commission to address local government reforms, though the head of this commission has not yet been disclosed.
