The healthcare sector in Bangladesh has grown exponentially. Bangladesh is the only Least Developed Country (LDC) that meets about 98% of the domestic demand for pharmaceutical products with a market size of about $ 3 billion.
Bangladeshi pharmaceutical products are exported to about 150 countries and earned $ 169 million in FY 2020-21.
Bangladesh provides high quality medical equipment, surgical instruments, diagnostic equipment and services to US exporters. The medical device sector is currently not strictly regulated, although a policy to do so has been drafted and is awaiting approval. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) is responsible for national level policy, planning and decision making regarding healthcare and education.
Bangladesh’s healthcare sector consists of hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centres, clinical trials, outsourcing, telemedicine and medical devices and equipment. With a CAGR of 10.3% percent since 2010, the size of the healthcare industry reached USD 6.76 billion in 2018 (in terms of healthcare spending), doubling in the last 8 years. The healthcare industry is dominated by the private sector and there is high growth in third hospitals and diagnostic centres. By the end of 2019, 255 government hospitals, 5,054 private hospitals and clinics and 9,529 diagnostic centres were under the registration of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The number of hospital beds available in government hospitals was 54,660, while the same number in private hospitals was 91,537, bringing the total number of beds to 143,394 by the end of 2019.
In the last five decades, the health condition of the people of Bangladesh has improved due to the growth of our healthcare sector. Our average life expectancy has increased from just 52 years in the 70’s to the current 72 years. Bangladesh spends 2.3 percent of GDP on the public health sector.
We have huge potential for good in the health sector. However, we need skilled resources who will establish good governance with innovative strategies and build a vibrant health sector in the years to come.
