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Regional conference on Impact of TB & Malaria on Poverty ends

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November 30, 2000 

Dhaka-- (UNB)- Parliamentarians of South-East Asian countries have adopted an action plan to influence respective governments for raising allocation to the health sector to around 5 percent of GDP for combating the common communicable diseases in the region.

According to health officials, most of the Southeast Asian countries now spend 1.2 to 2 percent of their GDP in health sector, Bangladesh being at the low ebb.

The 3-day Regional conference of Parliamentarians on Impact of Tuberculosis and Malaria on Poverty ended here yesterday (Wednesday) adopting a ‘Call for Action (CFA)’ to safeguard the poor from infectious diseases like tuberculosis and malaria.

Addressing a press conference on conclusion of the conference last (Wednesday) afternoon, Health Minister Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim said parliamentarians adopted the CFA after threadbare discussion about MPs exerting greater influence upon respective governments to allocate adequate funds in health sector.

Higher allocation will ensure health services, particularly to the poor as well as combat the communicable common diseases like tuberculosis and malaria, he added.

State Minister for Health Prof M Amanullah, WHO Regional Director Dr Uton Muchtar Rafei and WHO country director Dr W Hardjotanojo spoke at the conference.

About 50 participants from 10 countries including host Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand took part in the regional conference.

Relying to a question, the Health Minister said Bangladesh Finance Minister has already assured to provide more support to the health sector.

He said health services would be maximised through proper utilization of minimum resources.

Asked if target was set to attaint 5 percent GDP’s allocation to the health sector, the minister said it is a long process and hoped to reach as soon as possible. “If you and all others pay due tax, it will not take long time,” he added.

Replying to another question Selim said, per capita annual expenditure on health in Bangladesh is $3.5 as against $12 dollar minimum requirement. Sixty dollar is the standard for palpable health service.

Dr Uton Muchtar Rafei said Call for Action (CFA) lists a set of actions to be led by legislators.

The CFA recognizes that poverty is one of the most important causes of ill health and of diseases such as TB and Malaria and ill health leads to poverty, he said.

The WHO regional director said the Call focuses on the need to ensure that government investment in the health is available in an equitable manner to the poor.

The CFA calls on MPs to lend their support in empowering the poor so that they themselves can ensure health system is actually pro-poor and provide quality service to them.