Browsing by Author "Halder, Shantana R."

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Analysis of member performance: a case of BRAC's rural development programme
(BRAC, 1998-12) Halder, Shantana R.; Husain, A M Muazzam
A comparative analysis of high performing and other BRAC members has been made to determine factors responsible for differences in their performance. It was found that both the success cases and other members owned similar amount of land at the time of joining BRAC programmes. Among the success group the performances of self employed, literate, and female headed households were significantly higher compared to other members. Members with traits of leadership, higher initial endowment, higher involvement in relatively high return activities, higher entrepreneurial skill and higher social position achieved greater success. The success members also had close kinship ties with other members in the organization. Multiple loan use was also found as one of the influencing/actors behind their success.
Case studies on cost-effectiveness of BRAC provided services in selected enterprises
(BRAC, 1999-02) Halder, Shantana R.; Husain, AM Muazzam
This case study was conducted on three types of enterprises that have been promoted by BRAC to examine the viability of the enterprises and the relative cost effectiveness of the services delivered by BRAC. Primary data were collected from 106 carp farmers and 102 broiler rearers while secondary data on 97 tailors were used for the study. The net change in annual income per enterprise due to provision of business development services (BDS) by BRAC was found to be Tic 3,371 and Tk. 5,071 respectively for enterprises with and without pre-BRAC experiences. The average amount for all enterprises was Tk. 7,584 or Tk. 4,569 per member-farmer involved in carp polyculture. The BDS provided by BRAC include skill development training, pond preparation and its maintenance and other technical assistance. The cost of BRAC was Tk. 336 per farmer against Tk. 201 realized for the same as service charge. In case of broiler rearing the average net gain in income per lot covering a period of eight weeks due to BRAC programme intervention was Tk. 2,667. This amount was Tk. 3,237 for newly started member-rearers and Tk. 709 for existing ones. The cost of BDS per member rearer was estimated as Tk. 427 while BRAC received Tk. 452 as service charge. In case of tailoring, since 91% of the sample population were previously housewives without involvement in any income generating activity, the current net income from tailoring has been assumed to have accrued due to BRAC intervention. The average net annual income has been estimated as Tk. 7,836 while the average annual cost of BDS per member was Tk. 490 of which 25% was realized by BRAC from each member as service charge. In all three cases, the results show that the enterprises are cost effective some suggestions are made to further improve the cost-effectiveness of the enterprises.
Combining methodologies for better targeting of the extreme poor: lessons from BRAC's CFPR/TUP programme (TUP working paper -2)
(BRAC, 2004-08) Matin, Imran; Halder, Shantana R.
This paper aims to assess the effectiveness and draw lessons from the targeting strategy used in a new BRAC programme called Challenging the Frontiers of Poverty Reduction-Targeting the Ultra Poor (CFPR/TUP) that aims to experiment with a different type of approach to address extreme rural poverty. The underlying theme of both the CFPR/TUP programme and the targeting methodology used is an acknowledgement of the strength of combining different methods and approaches for greater effectiveness. The programme, for instance, combines promotion and · protection oriented mechanisms. Similarly, the targeting approach used in the programme combines various targeting methodologies and knowledge streams about the extreme poor. This paper uses programme data emerging out of its targeting exercise to assess questions of effectiveness of the approach used. Combining the various targeting approaches and drawing from different streams of knowledge has been the main innovativeness of the targeting methodology used in this programme. The large differences we found between the two closely ranked groups of the poor the extreme poor and those just above, also suggest that there is a structural break, rather than a continuum in terms of deprivation of opportunities, security and empowerment that is differentiating the extreme poor from others. It is through a better understanding of the various dimensions, dynamics and interlinkages of these structural breaks that we can design the most effective strategies and programmatic approaches for this group of the poor.
Combining targeting methodologies for better targeting of the extreme poor: some preliminary findings from BRAC's CFPR/TUP programme
(BRAC, 2002-09) Matin, Imran; Halder, Shantana R.
Since January 2002, BRAC has started a new program targeted at the extreme poor, called, 'Challenging the Frontiers of Poverty Reduction: Targeting the Ultra Poor' (CFPR/TUP). This Programme seeks to challenge the frontiers of poverty reduction by addressing two key limitations of much poverty reduction interventions to date. First, the Programme seeks to 'push down' the reach of development programmes through specific targeting of the ultra poor who have suffered relative neglect in most development programme interventions to date. Secondly, it seeks to 'push out' the domain within which existing approaches operate, by addressing dimensions of poverty that many conventional approaches fail to address. Specifically, this involves a shift away from the conventional service delivery mode of development programming to focussing on human capital, and the structures and processes that disempower the poor, especially women, and constraint their livelihood. It is an approach that puts social development, specifically a rights-based approach to health and socio-political empowerment, at the heart of the agenda. This paper has two objectives. The first is an introduction of the new BRAC Programme that aims to experiment with a different type of approach to attacking extreme poverty. More specifically, the focus in this paper is to introduce the targeting methodology used in this Programme. The underlying theme of both the CFPR/TUP Programme and the targeting methodology it used is an acknowledgment of the power and strength of combining methods and approaches and thereby leveraging each other. The Programme for instance combines promotion and protection oriented mechanisms to attacking poverty and uses this mix at various levels acknowledging the idea that the structures that create and reproduce poverty work at multiple levels. Similarly, the targeting approach used in the Programme also combines various targeting methodologies and knowledge streams about who the extreme poor are and where they live. The second objective of this paper is to use Programme data emerging out of the targeting exercise to undertake preliminary exploration of questions of effectiveness of the approach used. The combining of various targeting approaches and drawing from different streams of knowledge has been the main innovativeness of the targeting methodology used in the CFPR/TUP programme. The close correspondence between community perception of the variables distinguishing the extreme poor from the other wealth groups and what the Programme developed based on reading of existing poverty profile literature of Bangladesh points to the maturity and evolution of formal, more academic knowledge on poverty profile in being able to capture the categories and descriptions used by poor people themselves. This is encouraging. What is needed now is moving beyond more grounded poverty profile to more grounded understanding of the various mechanisms through which poverty persists for some and not for others and what can be done about it. However, the big differences between the two closely ranked groups of the poor-the extreme poor and those just above, also suggest that there is a structural break, rather than a continuum in terms of deprivation of opportunities, security and empowerment that is differentiating the extreme poor from others. It is through a better understanding of the various dimensions, dynamics and interlinkages of these structural breaks can we design the most effective strategies and programmatic approaches for this group.
Cost-benefit analysis of BRAC's sericulture programme
(BRAC, 1998-12) Halder, Shantana R.
The Sericulture Programme of BRAC is one of the most ambitious among BRAC sector programmes. Since 1992 BRAe has gone through a large scale expansion of the plantation programme. Major components of the programme are: a) nursery, b) mulberry plantation, c) rearing of the silkworms, d) reeling, and e) weaving. The main objective of the study was to measure the efficiency of the programme by doing a cost benefit analysis from the participants' as well as the organizers' point of view. The specific objectives of the study were: 1) to determine employment created by BRAC to measure the opportunity cost of time and BRAC's achievements in this area; 2) to determine the programme costs and returns for calculating the profitability of the different components of the programme; 3) to calculate accounting and economic profit to determine the viability of programme participants; and 4) to identify the socia-economic constraints on programme sustainability. The study considered four different stages of measuring programme viability. In the first stage the employment generation in each component of the programme was detennined to calculate the minimum opportunity cost of time and BRAC's achievements. In the second stage both programme input and output records were used to calculate the total cost of the programme and the revenue it earned. Major components of fixed and variable costs may differ in different programme activities which were also considered. In the third stage participants viability was investigated. Indicators used to measure participants viability were: 1) profit per unit of input; 2) average rate of return on investment =profit/total investment on fixed assets; 3) average rate of return on operating cost =profit/operating cost; 4) yield or value of output per unit of major input; and 5) amount or cost of input per unit of output. The programme is treated as economically viable when the actual rate of return exceeds the market rate of interest. The fourth stage described the programme viability. Monthly receipts and expenditure statements of sericulture programme were used to evaluate it. The study tried to focus on how to increase the physical output to its maximum level and to reduce costs to its minimum. Primary data were collected from a random sample of 492 programme participants from 10 AOs including 26 sapling growers and 300 silk worm rearers. Due to the fact that reeling, pedal spinning and weaving were not done in every selected AOs, fifty seven workers from three reeling centres, 64 pedal spinners from five AOs and 45 weavers from three BRAe weaving programme areas were selected.
Demographic and social characteristics of the ultra poor
(Research and Evaluation Division, Brac, 2000-12) Halder, Shantana R.; Husain, A.M.Muazzam
This report aimed to understand the demographic, social and economic characteristics of the ultra poor. Analysis of data clearly showed that the ultra poor households were smaller in size than the rural average. One-third of them were female-headed households. Twenty-two percent were absolute landless, another 73% owned only homesteads. Average landholding was only 5.6 decimals. Majority of them depended on wage labouring and significant proportion on others' help. The study found some distinctive features of the female-headed households - smaller household size, lower economic and demographic dependency, higher proportion of elderly population, who had to work for survival. It also gave a clear understanding that the characteristics of the ultra poor in Comilla were different from the rest of the country. Among other regions Rangpur and Bogra were in the worst-off condition where proportionately a higher percentage of destitute live. Fifteen percent of the ultra poor were homeless. Another 30% own low cost houses with current value Tk 500 or less, houses constructed by cheapest and non-durable construction materials. Fifty-two percent of the living houses were roofed by corrugated iron sheets.
Employment and wage status of the ultra poor
(Research and Evaluation Division, Brac, 2000-12) Halder, Shantana R.
This report looked into the employment status of the ultra poor and factors affecting the extent of employment. Findings showed that 92% of the households were with economically active population. Majority of the rest 8% were female-headed households mostly depending on others' help. Sixty-six percent of the economically active population participated in the labour force. The prevalence of child labour was 12.7% and 2.5% respectively among boys and girls aged 6-14 years. For the ultra poor lacking education and skills, one of the ways of increasing their household income was an addition of household members in the active labour force. This was true for the household having such potentiality. For households without physically acuve members it could not be the option. Secondly, although an addition in the amve labour force was one of the alternatives to increase income the rate of return from such addition was not same for males and females. The income labour ratio for male was higher than female. The existing gender division of labour, discriminative wage variations disfavouring females, limited female employment opportunities were the major reasons behind this. Thirdly, due to significant variations in the extent of employment in different region any development programme would not be equally beneficial for all regions.
Female-headed households and the ultra poor in Bangladesh
(Research and Evaluation Division, Brac, 2000-12) Halder, Shantana R.
This report focuses on the magnitude of FHHs among the poorest and examines their socio-economic profile to highlight the distinction between FHHs and the entire sample. Female-headed households (FHHs) are of two types: households without any male adult where female is solely responsible for the well-being of the household and households where a female is the decision maker and receives monetary support from other male members who have migrated out for employment. The first one is defined as de facto and secone one as de jure households. The prevalence of FHHs among the ultra poor is calculated at 35%, of them 78% were de facto households. The de facto households were smaller in size, nearly SO% of them were comprised of one member households, 98% were single parent households, three-fourth of them were educationally dark, one-forth of them did not possess any living houses. One-third of the de facto household heads were either beggars or disabled. The de facto households were economically less well off. Major sources of their income were charity and wage employment. A lower percentage of the de facto households owned any kind of nonland assets, the value of which was also significantly lower than others. On the other hand, the de jure households were relatively more well-off compared to de facto households and on some indicator better-off than others.
Food security and the ultra poor
(Research and Evaluation Division, Brac, 2000-12) Halder, Shantana R.
This paper aims to derive some policy guidelines by analysing factors affecting food security of the ultra poor. Here more emphasis is given on the number of rice meals taken and the sources of rice consumed during the last 24 hours. Results show that only 17% of the ultra poor had the capacity to purchase rice for three meals a day. Twenty percent had to depend on help from others. One-fourth had only one rice meal, managed through any source. Food security was found to be highly correlated with household landholding, adult literacy, household asset base, per capita income and male female participation rate in the labour force. Differences in the level of economic development of specific region also had significant effect on food security. The disabled and elderly people are identified as a highly food insecure group. For ensuring food creation of wage employment opportunities can help those who are capable of working. For the elderly and disabled, there should be some provision of safety nets.
Food security through sustainable income uplift and poverty eradication project: a socio-economic baseline survey
(2000-12) Husain, A. M. Muazzam; Halder, Shantana R.
Identification of the poorest and the impact of credit on them: the case of BRAC
(BRAC, 1998-12) Halder, Shantana R.; Husain, A.M.M.
This study offers a new approach for identification of the poorest and constructs a poverty profile by integrating four non-impact variables sensitive to poverty. Poverty was found to be highly correlated with all of the variables included in the index namely sex, occupation and education Ievel of the household head, village Ievel economic development and household landholding. Results on the impact of micro-credit programme on the poorest show that the poorest with little asset base received similar amount of credit as other members but invested it in relatively more non-productive activities. The poorest BRAC members consumed more calorie and owned more non-land assets than the poorest of the comparison group. For BRAC members length of membership influencer negatively in their calorie consumption level and asset accumulation.
Income status of the ultra poor
(Research and Evaluation Division, Brac, 2000-12) Halder, Shantana R.
This paper reports on income status, major sources of income and determinants of income of the ultra poor Mean per capita income was calculated to be Tk.3,385, per annum that was even less than the estimated lower poverty line income. The contribution of males and females to total household income was found to be 66% and 34% respectively. Variations in the male female contributions were due to differences in the number of economically active males and females within the household, household resource base, and sex and occupation of the household heads. The study came up with the following conclusions. First of all differential income and its sources for different region indicate that the effect of any similar kind of intervention would be different for different regions. To minimize regional variations detail knowledge on specific region would help for its further modification. Secondly, insignificant positive contribution of external capital and NGO presence indicate that micro-credit can not be the only alternative for their poverty eradication. Since 77% of the ultra poor were mainly depended on wage employment, any wage-based development would be more beneficial to them. Thirdly, high dependence on others' help indicated that in any development programme for to the ultra poor, a provision of safety net would be necessary.
Innovation for universal health coverage in Bangladesh: a call to action
(© 2013 The Lancet, 2013) Adams, Alayne M.; Ahmed, Tanvir; El Arifeen, Shams E.; Evans, Timothy Grant; Huda, Tanvir M.; Reichenbach, Laura J.; Ahmed, Faruque S K; Ahmed, Shamim; Ahmed, Syéd Masud; Azad, Kishwar; Bhuiya, Abbas Uddin; Mahmood, Shehrin Shaila; Cash, Richard A.; Chen, Lincoln; Chowdhury, Mahbub Elahi Khan; Chowdhury, Ahmed Mushtaque Raza; Christou, Aliki; Halder, Shantana R.; Husain, Mushtuq Mushtaq; Islam, Mohammad Sirajul; Islam, Khaled Shamsul; Huq, Shireen; Hussain, Zakir; Mahmud, Simeen; Mallick, Fuad Hassan; May, Maria A.; Osman, Ferdous Arfina; Peters, David H.; Perry, Henry B.; Rabbani, Atonu; Rahman, Mijanur Aminur; Rahman, Mahmudur Ziaur; Rasheed, Sabrina; Rashid, Sabina F.; Al-Sabir, Ahmed; Standing, Hilary; Mahmud, Simeen
A post-Millennium Development Goals agenda for health in Bangladesh should be defined to encourage a second generation of health-system innovations under the clarion call of universal health coverage. This agenda should draw on the experience of the first generation of innovations that underlie the country's impressive health achievements and creatively address future health challenges. Central to the reform process will be the development of a multipronged strategic approach that: responds to existing demands in a way that assures affordable, equitable, high-quality health care from a pluralistic health system; anticipates health-care needs in a period of rapid health and social transition; and addresses underlying structural issues that otherwise might hamper progress. A pragmatic reform agenda for achieving universal health coverage in Bangladesh should include development of a long-term national human resources policy and action plan, establishment of a national insurance system, building of an interoperable electronic health information system, investment to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and creation of a supraministerial council on health. Greater political, financial, and technical investment to implement this reform agenda offers the prospect of a stronger, more resilient, sustainable, and equitable health system.
Innovation for universal health coverage in Bangladesh: a call to action
(© 2013 The Lancet, 2013) Adams, Alayne M.; Ahmed, Tanvir; El Arifeen, Shams E.; Evans, Timothy Grant; Huda, Tanvir M.; Reichenbach, Laura J.; Ahmed, Faruque S K; Ahmed, Shamim; Ahmed, Syéd Masud; Azad, Kishwar; Bhuiya, Abbas Uddin; Mahmood, Shehrin Shaila; Cash, Richard A.; Chen, Lincoln; Chowdhury, Mahbub Elahi Khan; Chowdhury, Ahmed Mushtaque Raza; Christou, Aliki; Halder, Shantana R.; Husain, Mushtuq Mushtaq; Islam, Mohammad Sirajul; Islam, Khaled Shamsul; Huq, Shireen; Hussain, Zakir; Mahmud, Simeen; Mallick, Fuad Hassan; May, Maria A.; Osman, Ferdous Arfina; Peters, David H.; Perry, Henry B.; Rabbani, Atonu; Rahman, Mijanur Aminur; Rahman, Mahmudur Ziaur; Rasheed, Sabrina; Rashid, Sabina F.; Al-Sabir, Ahmed; Standing, Hilary; Mahmud, Simeen
A post-Millennium Development Goals agenda for health in Bangladesh should be defined to encourage a second generation of health-system innovations under the clarion call of universal health coverage. This agenda should draw on the experience of the first generation of innovations that underlie the country's impressive health achievements and creatively address future health challenges. Central to the reform process will be the development of a multipronged strategic approach that: responds to existing demands in a way that assures affordable, equitable, high-quality health care from a pluralistic health system; anticipates health-care needs in a period of rapid health and social transition; and addresses underlying structural issues that otherwise might hamper progress. A pragmatic reform agenda for achieving universal health coverage in Bangladesh should include development of a long-term national human resources policy and action plan, establishment of a national insurance system, building of an interoperable electronic health information system, investment to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and creation of a supraministerial council on health. Greater political, financial, and technical investment to implement this reform agenda offers the prospect of a stronger, more resilient, sustainable, and equitable health system.
Innovation for universal health coverage in Bangladesh: a call to action
(© 2013 The Lancet, 2013) Adams, Alayne M.; Ahmed, Tanvir; El Arifeen, Shams E.; Evans, Timothy Grant; Huda, Tanvir M.; Reichenbach, Laura J.; Ahmed, Faruque S K; Ahmed, Shamim; Ahmed, Syéd Masud; Azad, Kishwar; Bhuiya, Abbas Uddin; Mahmood, Shehrin Shaila; Cash, Richard A.; Chen, Lincoln; Chowdhury, Mahbub Elahi Khan; Chowdhury, Ahmed Mushtaque Raza; Christou, Aliki; Halder, Shantana R.; Husain, Mushtuq Mushtaq; Islam, Mohammad Sirajul; Islam, Khaled Shamsul; Huq, Shireen; Hussain, Zakir; Mahmud, Simeen; Mallick, Fuad Hassan; May, Maria A.; Osman, Ferdous Arfina; Peters, David H.; Perry, Henry B.; Rabbani, Atonu; Rahman, Mijanur Aminur; Rahman, Mahmudur Ziaur; Rasheed, Sabrina; Rashid, Sabina F.; Al-Sabir, Ahmed; Standing, Hilary; Mahmud, Simeen
A post-Millennium Development Goals agenda for health in Bangladesh should be defined to encourage a second generation of health-system innovations under the clarion call of universal health coverage. This agenda should draw on the experience of the first generation of innovations that underlie the country's impressive health achievements and creatively address future health challenges. Central to the reform process will be the development of a multipronged strategic approach that: responds to existing demands in a way that assures affordable, equitable, high-quality health care from a pluralistic health system; anticipates health-care needs in a period of rapid health and social transition; and addresses underlying structural issues that otherwise might hamper progress. A pragmatic reform agenda for achieving universal health coverage in Bangladesh should include development of a long-term national human resources policy and action plan, establishment of a national insurance system, building of an interoperable electronic health information system, investment to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and creation of a supraministerial council on health. Greater political, financial, and technical investment to implement this reform agenda offers the prospect of a stronger, more resilient, sustainable, and equitable health system.
Innovation for universal health coverage in Bangladesh: a call to action
(© 2013 The Lancet, 2013) Adams, Alayne M.; Ahmed, Tanvir; El Arifeen, Shams E.; Evans, Timothy Grant; Huda, Tanvir M.; Reichenbach, Laura J.; Ahmed, Faruque S K; Ahmed, Shamim; Ahmed, Syéd Masud; Azad, Kishwar; Bhuiya, Abbas Uddin; Mahmood, Shehrin Shaila; Cash, Richard A.; Chen, Lincoln; Chowdhury, Mahbub Elahi Khan; Chowdhury, Ahmed Mushtaque Raza; Christou, Aliki; Halder, Shantana R.; Husain, Mushtuq Mushtaq; Islam, Mohammad Sirajul; Islam, Khaled Shamsul; Huq, Shireen; Hussain, Zakir; Mahmud, Simeen; Mallick, Fuad Hassan; May, Maria A.; Osman, Ferdous Arfina; Peters, David H.; Perry, Henry B.; Rabbani, Atonu; Rahman, Mijanur Aminur; Rahman, Mahmudur Ziaur; Rasheed, Sabrina; Rashid, Sabina F.; Al-Sabir, Ahmed; Standing, Hilary; Mahmud, Simeen
A post-Millennium Development Goals agenda for health in Bangladesh should be defined to encourage a second generation of health-system innovations under the clarion call of universal health coverage. This agenda should draw on the experience of the first generation of innovations that underlie the country's impressive health achievements and creatively address future health challenges. Central to the reform process will be the development of a multipronged strategic approach that: responds to existing demands in a way that assures affordable, equitable, high-quality health care from a pluralistic health system; anticipates health-care needs in a period of rapid health and social transition; and addresses underlying structural issues that otherwise might hamper progress. A pragmatic reform agenda for achieving universal health coverage in Bangladesh should include development of a long-term national human resources policy and action plan, establishment of a national insurance system, building of an interoperable electronic health information system, investment to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and creation of a supraministerial council on health. Greater political, financial, and technical investment to implement this reform agenda offers the prospect of a stronger, more resilient, sustainable, and equitable health system.
Innovation for universal health coverage in Bangladesh: a call to action
(© 2013 The Lancet, 2013) Adams, Alayne M.; Ahmed, Tanvir; El Arifeen, Shams E.; Evans, Timothy Grant; Huda, Tanvir M.; Reichenbach, Laura J.; Ahmed, Faruque S K; Ahmed, Shamim; Ahmed, Syéd Masud; Azad, Kishwar; Bhuiya, Abbas Uddin; Mahmood, Shehrin Shaila; Cash, Richard A.; Chen, Lincoln; Chowdhury, Mahbub Elahi Khan; Chowdhury, Ahmed Mushtaque Raza; Christou, Aliki; Halder, Shantana R.; Husain, Mushtuq Mushtaq; Islam, Mohammad Sirajul; Islam, Khaled Shamsul; Huq, Shireen; Hussain, Zakir; Mahmud, Simeen; Mallick, Fuad Hassan; May, Maria A.; Osman, Ferdous Arfina; Peters, David H.; Perry, Henry B.; Rabbani, Atonu; Rahman, Mijanur Aminur; Rahman, Mahmudur Ziaur; Rasheed, Sabrina; Rashid, Sabina F.; Al-Sabir, Ahmed; Standing, Hilary; Mahmud, Simeen
A post-Millennium Development Goals agenda for health in Bangladesh should be defined to encourage a second generation of health-system innovations under the clarion call of universal health coverage. This agenda should draw on the experience of the first generation of innovations that underlie the country's impressive health achievements and creatively address future health challenges. Central to the reform process will be the development of a multipronged strategic approach that: responds to existing demands in a way that assures affordable, equitable, high-quality health care from a pluralistic health system; anticipates health-care needs in a period of rapid health and social transition; and addresses underlying structural issues that otherwise might hamper progress. A pragmatic reform agenda for achieving universal health coverage in Bangladesh should include development of a long-term national human resources policy and action plan, establishment of a national insurance system, building of an interoperable electronic health information system, investment to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and creation of a supraministerial council on health. Greater political, financial, and technical investment to implement this reform agenda offers the prospect of a stronger, more resilient, sustainable, and equitable health system.
Innovation for universal health coverage in Bangladesh: a call to action
(© 2013 The Lancet, 2013) Adams, Alayne M.; Ahmed, Tanvir; El Arifeen, Shams E.; Evans, Timothy Grant; Huda, Tanvir M.; Reichenbach, Laura J.; Ahmed, Faruque S K; Ahmed, Shamim; Ahmed, Syéd Masud; Azad, Kishwar; Bhuiya, Abbas Uddin; Mahmood, Shehrin Shaila; Cash, Richard A.; Chen, Lincoln; Chowdhury, Mahbub Elahi Khan; Chowdhury, Ahmed Mushtaque Raza; Christou, Aliki; Halder, Shantana R.; Husain, Mushtuq Mushtaq; Islam, Mohammad Sirajul; Islam, Khaled Shamsul; Huq, Shireen; Hussain, Zakir; Mahmud, Simeen; Mallick, Fuad Hassan; May, Maria A.; Osman, Ferdous Arfina; Peters, David H.; Perry, Henry B.; Rabbani, Atonu; Rahman, Mijanur Aminur; Rahman, Mahmudur Ziaur; Rasheed, Sabrina; Rashid, Sabina F.; Al-Sabir, Ahmed; Standing, Hilary; Mahmud, Simeen
A post-Millennium Development Goals agenda for health in Bangladesh should be defined to encourage a second generation of health-system innovations under the clarion call of universal health coverage. This agenda should draw on the experience of the first generation of innovations that underlie the country's impressive health achievements and creatively address future health challenges. Central to the reform process will be the development of a multipronged strategic approach that: responds to existing demands in a way that assures affordable, equitable, high-quality health care from a pluralistic health system; anticipates health-care needs in a period of rapid health and social transition; and addresses underlying structural issues that otherwise might hamper progress. A pragmatic reform agenda for achieving universal health coverage in Bangladesh should include development of a long-term national human resources policy and action plan, establishment of a national insurance system, building of an interoperable electronic health information system, investment to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and creation of a supraministerial council on health. Greater political, financial, and technical investment to implement this reform agenda offers the prospect of a stronger, more resilient, sustainable, and equitable health system.
Innovation for universal health coverage in Bangladesh: a call to action
(© 2013 The Lancet, 2013) Adams, Alayne M.; Ahmed, Tanvir; El Arifeen, Shams E.; Evans, Timothy Grant; Huda, Tanvir M.; Reichenbach, Laura J.; Ahmed, Faruque S K; Ahmed, Shamim; Ahmed, Syéd Masud; Azad, Kishwar; Bhuiya, Abbas Uddin; Mahmood, Shehrin Shaila; Cash, Richard A.; Chen, Lincoln; Chowdhury, Mahbub Elahi Khan; Chowdhury, Ahmed Mushtaque Raza; Christou, Aliki; Halder, Shantana R.; Husain, Mushtuq Mushtaq; Islam, Mohammad Sirajul; Islam, Khaled Shamsul; Huq, Shireen; Hussain, Zakir; Mahmud, Simeen; Mallick, Fuad Hassan; May, Maria A.; Osman, Ferdous Arfina; Peters, David H.; Perry, Henry B.; Rabbani, Atonu; Rahman, Mijanur Aminur; Rahman, Mahmudur Ziaur; Rasheed, Sabrina; Rashid, Sabina F.; Al-Sabir, Ahmed; Standing, Hilary; Mahmud, Simeen
A post-Millennium Development Goals agenda for health in Bangladesh should be defined to encourage a second generation of health-system innovations under the clarion call of universal health coverage. This agenda should draw on the experience of the first generation of innovations that underlie the country's impressive health achievements and creatively address future health challenges. Central to the reform process will be the development of a multipronged strategic approach that: responds to existing demands in a way that assures affordable, equitable, high-quality health care from a pluralistic health system; anticipates health-care needs in a period of rapid health and social transition; and addresses underlying structural issues that otherwise might hamper progress. A pragmatic reform agenda for achieving universal health coverage in Bangladesh should include development of a long-term national human resources policy and action plan, establishment of a national insurance system, building of an interoperable electronic health information system, investment to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and creation of a supraministerial council on health. Greater political, financial, and technical investment to implement this reform agenda offers the prospect of a stronger, more resilient, sustainable, and equitable health system.
Innovation for universal health coverage in Bangladesh: a call to action
(© 2013 The Lancet, 2013) Adams, Alayne M.; Ahmed, Tanvir; El Arifeen, Shams E.; Evans, Timothy Grant; Huda, Tanvir M.; Reichenbach, Laura J.; Ahmed, Faruque S K; Ahmed, Shamim; Ahmed, Syéd Masud; Azad, Kishwar; Bhuiya, Abbas Uddin; Mahmood, Shehrin Shaila; Cash, Richard A.; Chen, Lincoln; Chowdhury, Mahbub Elahi Khan; Chowdhury, Ahmed Mushtaque Raza; Christou, Aliki; Halder, Shantana R.; Husain, Mushtuq Mushtaq; Islam, Mohammad Sirajul; Islam, Khaled Shamsul; Huq, Shireen; Hussain, Zakir; Mahmud, Simeen; Mallick, Fuad Hassan; May, Maria A.; Osman, Ferdous Arfina; Peters, David H.; Perry, Henry B.; Rabbani, Atonu; Rahman, Mijanur Aminur; Rahman, Mahmudur Ziaur; Rasheed, Sabrina; Rashid, Sabina F.; Al-Sabir, Ahmed; Standing, Hilary; Mahmud, Simeen
A post-Millennium Development Goals agenda for health in Bangladesh should be defined to encourage a second generation of health-system innovations under the clarion call of universal health coverage. This agenda should draw on the experience of the first generation of innovations that underlie the country's impressive health achievements and creatively address future health challenges. Central to the reform process will be the development of a multipronged strategic approach that: responds to existing demands in a way that assures affordable, equitable, high-quality health care from a pluralistic health system; anticipates health-care needs in a period of rapid health and social transition; and addresses underlying structural issues that otherwise might hamper progress. A pragmatic reform agenda for achieving universal health coverage in Bangladesh should include development of a long-term national human resources policy and action plan, establishment of a national insurance system, building of an interoperable electronic health information system, investment to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and creation of a supraministerial council on health. Greater political, financial, and technical investment to implement this reform agenda offers the prospect of a stronger, more resilient, sustainable, and equitable health system.