Universal health coverage vital to tackling Covid-19’s aftermath

Universal health coverage is needed, immediately, to deal with the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country and tackle Covid-19-like pandemics in future.

Speakers said this at an online seminar titled "Public Policy Lessons from the Covid-19 Outbreak: How to Deal with it in the Post-Pandemic World," organised by East West University (EWU) on Monday.

They also urged the government to be cautious about measures to prepare for a probable second wave of Covid-19.

While presenting research on 100 countries, Dr AK Enamul Haque, professor of East West University, said, "It is seen that if testing increases Covid-19 cases rise accordingly."

Lockdowns might have helped to reduce the community spread but they did not give a satisfactory output, he observed.

He also said air pollution that leads to respiratory complications has made the situation worse. Air pollution occurs mainly due to the use of fossil fuels, he added.

The government should address the problem for the sake of the environment and public health. Also, universal health coverage should be introduced to deal with Covid-19, he argued.

According to the World Health Organisation, universal health coverage (UHC) means that all individuals and communities are able to get the quality promotional, preventive, curative, rehabilitative, and remedial health services they need, without financial burden.

Addressing the event, Planning Minister MA Mannan said, "There are some structural problems in the health sector that pose impediments to the implementation of universal health coverage. We have to work to improve it."

About lax lockdowns, he said, "Our lockdown was not hard as the government tried to keep people's livelihoods going…. Still we think we have been more successful than other countries."

"We are now well prepared to tackle such disasters in future," he added.

While talking about the revival of the economy, Professor Shamsul Alam, member of General Economics Division (GED) under the Ministry of Planning, said, "We [will] prioritise universal health coverage. Also, all kinds of export-oriented sectors will be facilitated like the apparel sector. We [will] also focus on revenue increase and reform."

Dr Mohammad Mushtuq Husain, consultant, Covid-19 pandemic control, Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), said, "Since June the virus has been spreading slowly. Therefore, some are thinking that people have developed a resistance, but there is no proof to support the claim."

"However, we have to be more cautious because it will be dangerous if a second wave of the novel coronavirus comes to the country," he suggested.

About universal health coverage, he said some constructive changes are needed to introduce universal health coverage in cities.

Dr Fahimda Khatun, executive director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue, stressed universal health coverage saying, "We have already seen the weaknesses of the health sector which should be addressed."

Budget allocation for the health sector should increase and the sector's capacity to utilise the allocation should also develop accordingly, she added.

Dr ASM Alamgir, principal scientific officer of the IEDCR, said, "People are waiting for a vaccine but getting the vaccine is still a far cry."

"Therefore, staying at home, unless there is an emergency, should be made a part of our life until a vaccine comes," he said adding that all should wear masks while going outside of home till then.

Professor MM Shahidul Hassan, vice chancellor of East West University and Professor Dr Mohammed Farashuddin, chief adviser to the university, also spoke at the programme.

Universal health coverage is needed, immediately, to deal with the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country and tackle Covid-19-like pandemics in future.

Speakers said this at an online seminar titled "Public Policy Lessons from the Covid-19 Outbreak: How to Deal with it in the Post-Pandemic World," organised by East West University (EWU) on Monday.

They also urged the government to be cautious about measures to prepare for a probable second wave of Covid-19.

While presenting research on 100 countries, Dr AK Enamul Haque, professor of East West University, said, "It is seen that if testing increases Covid-19 cases rise accordingly."

Lockdowns might have helped to reduce the community spread but they did not give a satisfactory output, he observed.

He also said air pollution that leads to respiratory complications has made the situation worse. Air pollution occurs mainly due to the use of fossil fuels, he added.

The government should address the problem for the sake of the environment and public health. Also, universal health coverage should be introduced to deal with Covid-19, he argued.

According to the World Health Organisation, universal health coverage (UHC) means that all individuals and communities are able to get the quality promotional, preventive, curative, rehabilitative, and remedial health services they need, without financial burden.

Addressing the event, Planning Minister MA Mannan said, "There are some structural problems in the health sector that pose impediments to the implementation of universal health coverage. We have to work to improve it."

About lax lockdowns, he said, "Our lockdown was not hard as the government tried to keep people's livelihoods going…. Still we think we have been more successful than other countries."

"We are now well prepared to tackle such disasters in future," he added.

While talking about the revival of the economy, Professor Shamsul Alam, member of General Economics Division (GED) under the Ministry of Planning, said, "We [will] prioritise universal health coverage. Also, all kinds of export-oriented sectors will be facilitated like the apparel sector. We [will] also focus on revenue increase and reform."

Dr Mohammad Mushtuq Husain, consultant, Covid-19 pandemic control, Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), said, "Since June the virus has been spreading slowly. Therefore, some are thinking that people have developed a resistance, but there is no proof to support the claim."

"However, we have to be more cautious because it will be dangerous if a second wave of the novel coronavirus comes to the country," he suggested.

About universal health coverage, he said some constructive changes are needed to introduce universal health coverage in cities.

Dr Fahimda Khatun, executive director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue, stressed universal health coverage saying, "We have already seen the weaknesses of the health sector which should be addressed."

Budget allocation for the health sector should increase and the sector's capacity to utilise the allocation should also develop accordingly, she added.

Dr ASM Alamgir, principal scientific officer of the IEDCR, said, "People are waiting for a vaccine but getting the vaccine is still a far cry."

"Therefore, staying at home, unless there is an emergency, should be made a part of our life until a vaccine comes," he said adding that all should wear masks while going outside of home till then.

Professor MM Shahidul Hassan, vice chancellor of East West University and Professor Dr Mohammed Farashuddin, chief adviser to the university, also spoke at the programme.