Dhiraj Kumar Nath

The need for revision and updating the National Health Policy has generated confusion as apparently being reflected in different media for the last few days. It is necessary to identify few needs and priorities of such updating attempts to accommodate the innovations in the Health sector and ensure good governance at all level of health service delivery. A few salient features, which primarily justify such an initiative in a neutral situation, could be elaborated to justify its reformulation.
   The lack of awareness about the health and hygiene, absence of appropriate medical care and scarcity of balanced food intakes are major reasons for weak and sick health. A person with ill health is obviously out of drive or energy to perform a work and thus considered as unwanted in the society and the family itself. More precisely, such a person is considered liability, not as resource to the nation.
   To concretize the concept of good health as the source of all happiness, there are continuous initiatives to improve the health sector round the world. Bangladesh can bring substantial changes to improve the health status of its citizens and ensure safety nets for the poor and the distressed in particular with its limited resources.
   Article 15(a) and Article 18(1) in the Constitution of Bangladesh has provided top priority to the public health and nutrition as a state policy of governance. To implement the obligation of the constitution and expectation of the people at large, the government has taken initiatives in the past to prepare a pragmatic Health Policy to the nation. Accordingly, there were attempts to formulate an acceptable Health Policy in 1990, 2000, and 2006 to ensure quality medical care and services to the citizens.
   To maintain the consistency with the dramatic improvements in the medical science, particularly in treatment and diagnosis, changes in global and environmental health, requirements of addressing occupation and climatic health hazards that emerged over the years, it was wisely felt essential to update the Health Policy.
   The need for adjustments was also felt with significant changes in epidemiological, demographic and socio- economic changes and new challenges of re-emerging and non-communicable diseases, urban healthcare and access of the poor and gender divide.
   The present Non-Party Caretaker Government has thus, decided to update the Health Policy and so prepared a draft, organized workshop and circulated the same in the website eliciting views of the stakeholders on the policy issues.
   The draft Health Policy described the health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well being and merely not an absence of disease or infirmity. Health has been regarded as the index of human development and fundamental right of the population. The draft contains objectives, principles, strategy policy besides areas of interventions like good governance issues, human resource and supply management, infrastructure maintenance, health financing, improvement of nutrition status, stewardship role of the government, harmonization of development partners supports etc
   The draft policy however, highlighted the achievements of the health sector indicating certain areas of success stories in the health sector so achieved over the period. These are mainly on the increase in the life expectancy at birth, reduction in total fertility rate, success of polio virus free initiatives and expanded program of immunization and distribution of Vitamin- A supplements etc. Besides, it has mentioned about the awareness generating campaign of oral re-hydration therapy, no smoking campaign, consciousness about the safe drinking water etc.
   Equally, persistent inefficiency in contributing to make significant improvements in addressing the maternal and infant mortality and nutrition status are identified as demanding areas of policy reformations. Besides, certain upcoming challenges like environmental, climatic, occupational and urban health issues, re-emerging threats of arsenic, HIV, Avian Flu, accidents and violence are indicated as fields of the program support and strategic interventions.
   In order to address the current and future challenges, the policy framework as proposed, could be categorized in three major areas as follows:
   a) Continuity of the current programs with more investment and monitoring;
   b) Addition of new element and focus on current programs; and
   c) Adaptation of new concepts and program elements to modernize the service delivery and treatment of diseases.
   The current programs and projects as suggested to be continued are basically primary heath care, health education, capability building of the manpower, private–public participation, decentralization of authority, maternal and child health care, breast feeding campaign, reproductive health care, survey and research etc.
   Some of the on going activities demanding more attentions with the addition of new elements as identified are generating intensive activities for providing client–centred, equitable, accessible and quality health care for all citizens, with special focus on poor, distressed women and disadvantaged. Besides, proposals also emphasized on the improvement of the nutrition status, reformation in the operation of private clinics, diversification of the referral system and more investments in building nursing and paramedics’ professionals.
   There are also proposals for strengthening the functioning of the Upazila Health complexes, Union Health and Family Welfare Centres, Community Clinics etc to ensure the participation of local level government. This is felt necessary in view of the Upazila system being reintroduced where health services would be treated as the transferred subject.
   The new elements in the proposed policy are program activities for medical waste management, addressing climate change related diseases, ensure food safety and quality, strengthening urban health services etc. Besides, there should be more initiatives to provide services to the remote and hard to reach areas, char, and coastal belt localities. The proposal stresses on the critical role of timely procurement and supply by introducing new institution for procurement management and setting up of a separate MIS system for logistics.
   Another important feature is the suggestion for publication of a report on the health status annually and updating the Health Policy periodically.
   It is true the policy indicates the strategy but there should be projects and programs to translate the same into reality. More precisely, there should be good governance in the health administration both in private and public sector for which political commitment should transparent and all allocations should be demand based and balanced ones. There should be participation of health watch groups with regular inflow of information.
   There could be arrangements where civil society organisations, human right agencies would have the scope for interactions to ensure accountability and transparency in procurement, supply and providing services. There are suggestions from civil society organisations to establish permanent committees or create a post of Ombudsman for regular Health Watch.
   The expectation is that the National Health Policy shall be able to leave a meaningful message for good health and good governance in the health sector in coming days.
   The author is a former Advisor to Non-party caretaker government.

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DHAKA WARRIORS VS BCCB

BCCB can’t shirk responsibility by
passing the buck

Mohammad Ataul Hoque

With the “banning” of the cricketers joining the ICL from playing cricket for 10 years by the BCCB, the episode has now turned into an interesting one. Nobody understands why this waging of war by the BCCB against the poor cricketers.
   Generally people took the issue as a surprise but at the same time as compliment for the Bangladeshi cricketers to be invited to an international tournament and were eagerly waiting for them to perform well and thus raise the country’s status which the national team consistently failed.
   Although talented these cricketers could not deliver well within the national team for various alleged “undisclosed” constraints now gradually being disclosed by them once. Perhaps in a free atmosphere they may now perform better.
   The cricketers say they received maltreatment from the BCCB authority. The amount of money they have been offered is also irresistible for them. The incident speaks of failure of the BCCB for its inability to retain and produce quality players to fill in any kind of vacuum.
   It is natural, players will come and go for various reasons and no one should stop that. Therefore, BCCB’s hasty decision in this regard does not seem mature enough and not well thought about. Perhaps to divert public criticism against them on the issue, the BCCB took this hasty decision.
   The BCCB was apparently busy in handling the administrative matters only neglecting more important matters of development of cricket and grooming players in the country. Where are the infrastructures, cricket tournaments at school levels and district levels? Why all cricket activities are centered in Dhaka only?
   A rebel cricketer disclosed, he did not know why he was axed from national team and what was his shortcomings and there was none in the team management to point out and rectify his mistakes. Moreover, it was extremely difficult for him to talk either to the coach or any official for advice to rectify his mistakes or techniques. These are serious allegations which need to be resolved by the BCCB.
   It clearly indicates that there was no communication and understanding between the team management and the players. There existed wide gap between most of the players and the team management and the players were now complaining of being fish out of water. The BCCB was found busy all the time in dealing with the money matters only, such as finding sponsors etc. So why blame the players alone? The major portion of the burnt has to be borne by the BCCB. They cannot escape responsibility by simply passing the bucks on the shoulders of the players alone by slapping such uncalled for punishment which even may not be legally viable if challenged at the court of law.
   When the rumour about players joining ICL came to their knowledge some time back why no contact was made with the players to try to pacify them instead of sitting on it? One thing for sure, the general sympathy from the public is in favour of the players. Therefore, I would urge BCCB to concentrate more on proper discharging of their responsibilities and duties for development of cricket in the country in which sector they are yet to prove their capability. It is almost 10 years now Bangladesh got test status but in the international arena its performance has become bad to worse. Who is responsible for that? Certainly not the players, but the poor planning and guidance at the top.

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When will we come out from darkness?

Dear Editor:
   Following 1/11 whirlpool are we waiting for another greater 1/11?
   Is the Caretaker Government headed by Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed failing in his mission or has he failed already? Whither our administration, whither our politics, our economy?
   We are puzzled. Who is the competent authority in the country? The President, Chief Adviser of the Caretaker Government (CG), some advisers of the CG, Secretaries to the government of Bangladesh, Election Commission, Anti-Corruption Commission, Truth Commission, Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Supreme Court, High Court, importers and exporters, meter readers of electricity and WASA, rice merchants, income tax employees, some Foreign missions in Dhaka, our army, political leaders?
   We find no consistency, accountability and transparency in our so many powerful authorities of our country.
   What is the goal of our country, our government and our 15 crore people?
   The sufferings of our people go on increasing. The rich getting richer and the poor poorer. There is no solution of the problems, difficulties of the people. When and how would we be able to come out from darkness?
   O. H. Kabir,
   Dhaka.

Dear Editor:
   We have gone through the news item under the heading "Safeguarding Vital Economic Interest" by M. Shahidul Islam published in your esteemed weekly on Friday, August 8, 2008. Without any apprehension and doubt, we are victims of conspiracy in almost all sectors of our activities. In diplomatic language (a language to hide the fact and to appease others by lying), we have excellent (!) relations with our neighbours. But what exactly the real scenario says 'it is a lie of highest order that we have least good relation with some neighbours. Since these neighboours are relentlessly working against the interest of our country, we need to be tactful and beware of such countries and have to develop an intelligence to differentiate between the friends and foes.
   In the context of mad rush for manpower export our recruiting agencies ought to be very cautious in handling the matter carefully, honestly and humanely. Loophole must not be left in any stage of the recruitment process. Genuineness and credibility of the employers should be verified. If required our diplomatic missions can help the recruiting agencies for the purpose. At the same time the workers should also be given firsthand training so as to adapt themselves to the culture (particularly local political) and tradition of the country they would be working for. They ought to be taught to shun misguidance and instigation by alien forces. They should be able to choose the good and bad for them.
   Our recruiting agents, except a few, are rogues. The secret understanding between the employer abroad and the local recruiting agents may also be looked on by the Government in respect of salary and other benefits. Many lofty hopes are given to the job seekers during the process of recruitment to squeeze excessive amount of money as handling charge.
   There are reports that even the pledged salary and benefits are not given to the workers on arrival at the work place. Measures for mitigating such problems may be taken by the Government in the interest of the workers and the country.
   As the situation calls for, the Government, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and our missions abroad should attach utmost importance to this sector for "safeguarding vital economic interest".
   Golam Mostafa,
   Adabar, Dhaka.

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NRBs remit more forex than WB etc.

Dear Editor:
   It is a fact that non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) send to Bangladesh six times more foreign currency than the combined aid volume by the World Bank (WB) and other donors. Economic adviser Mirza Aziz has urged NRBs to remit more foreign currency to Bangladesh. Good advice. It is also his responsibility to give an idea about how that money will be spent.
   What have the Government and the missions have done about exploitation of NRBs? Many expatriates’ family relationship has broken down at home because of their earning tendency. Their children couldn’t go to good school. Their properties at home remained unsupervised. Can the economic adviser and others do something positive before sermonising? I would rather ask NRBs to unite about these exploitation at home and abroad.
   Don’t forget that the NRBs send to Bangladesh six times more foreign currency than combined aid by the WB and other donors. NRB representative should be represented in Bangladesh Govt. and embassies. NRBs should also be in the policymaking process.
   Dr Azizul Karim,
   GP, Australia

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RMG sector stable?

Dear Editor: Why there is no merger in our vast RMG sector? The weakness inside this grey sector was never exposed in the media. The slave-labour conditions could not be kept hidden. BGMEA always makes demands after demands. How is fine-tuning done? How many mergers in the last 15 years? Sub-contracts are a part of the game. An observer, Dhaka.

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Abbasuddin the great singer

Dear Editor:
   In our folksongs Abbasuddin Ahmed was one of the brightest stars of Bangladesh. His voice was so sweat, lovely and melodious. Man cannot create such voice. His voice was the gift from Allah. In our younger age we came across people crossing the river way by boat playing his songs using mike. The surrounding areas’ air was filled with his enchanting voice.
   At his early age once Abbasuddin m sang an Islamic song before our great leader Sher-e-Bangla. Having heard the song the ‘Tiger of bengal’ could not check his emotion—- he began crying like a child. Abdul Alim once went Burma (Myanmar) to sing for the expatriate Bengalees there. It was very hot and people were very tired. Abdul Alim started the famous song, “Allah megh de, pani de, chhaya dere tui —”. Miraculously the rain started.
   The present young generation is really unfortunate as they do not have a chance to hear his songs in his original voice. The radio and TV are surely responsible for not preserving his songs properly. This great singer died in 1974.
   May Allah grant him eternal peace in heaven.
   Harun-Or Rashid,
   Sobhanbagh, Dhaka.

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Lack of consensus economic problems

Dear Editor:
   The delta regions in the world are fertile: low flat fertile lands, plenty of water; and natural fertiliser effect due to silt layers after periodic flooding. Farming and agriculture thrive; and the human fertility rate is also higher (higher density of population), providing plenty of human resources. How are we taking advantage of this natural situation?
   The Bengal delta is one such region. It is noticed that some civic activist groups (in Bangladesh and West Bengal, India) oppose mega industrial development projects, as fertile agricultural land is taken over, and the people are displaced from their ancestral homes.
   Therefore the question arises: what sort of awareness campaigns have to be mounted, so that industrial and mining development projects are made acceptable to the affected people.
   This is more so in Dhaka, as the parliament works in the absence of the Opposition (the boycott syndrome); and the governance environment is corrupt. There are numerous NGO agencies in Bangladesh, and its campaigns and working modes certainly affect public opinion. Mega projects are delayed, regime to regime, for underhand bargaining.
   At present, the interim, non-political, non-elected caretaker regime in Dhaka is handicapped under various types of opposition campaigns to go ahead with vital and critical projects on emergency basis (like tackling the energy shortage).
   It reveals that our top leadership in the society [and in politics] are unable to tackle critical economic situations through pragmatic solutions.
   We have everything, except one vital tool: national consensus.
   A Mawaz,
   Dhaka.

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Politicians should be patriots

Dear Editor:
   I think some neighbouring countries are trying to prove Bangladesh a failed state—-economically and politically. Jute and manpower export are other areas. Our people and politicians should be patriots and nationalists. We have competitors in neighbouring countries. In 1980s cholera virus was found in Bangladeshi shrimp exported to Japan and Japan cancelled shrimp import from Bangladesh. Garments industry chaos continues for long, but don’t forget and nullify injustice and exploitation.
   Recently thousands of garment workers were on strike during a labour unrest. Events escalated when over 1,000 workers from neighbouring factories attacked other factories on the Dhaka-Tangail highway. Workers spread the trouble throughout the area; 15 RMG factories and four shopping centres were attacked as rioting continued.
   A medical practitioner.

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