Govt to bring urban healthcare under mainstream: Muhit

State Minister for Health Dr M A Muhit has said that it will not be possible to build a sustainable national healthcare system without bringing urban healthcare into the mainstream amid the country’s growing urbanisation. 

The government has taken a policy decision to bring urban healthcare under the core structure of the Ministry of Health and overhaul the system, he added.

He made the remarks as the chief guest at a national consultation meeting on a ‘Sustainable SRHR Ecosystem’ organised by the CSO Forum at the CIRDAP auditorium on Tuesday morning.

Dr Muhit said less than 10 percent of the country’s population lived in urban areas after independence. At present, around 30 percent of the population lives in cities, and the figure is expected to reach 50 percent by 2050. Considering the needs of the future, urban healthcare is therefore being brought into the mainstream of the public healthcare system.

He said urban healthcare has so far been delivered mainly through city corporations, municipalities and NGOs. Taking into account the positive aspects of that system, the government is now developing a comprehensive and sustainable framework. 

The Directorate General of Health Services and the Directorate General of Family Planning will jointly play a role in providing these services. The Directorate General of Family Planning will have an important responsibility, particularly in sexual and reproductive healthcare, he added.