title: Innovation for universal health coverage in Bangladesh: a call to action.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Equity and Health Systems, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Electronic address: aadams@icddrb.org.
authors.forename: Alayne M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.affiliation: Centre for Equity and Health Systems, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Tanvir
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.affiliation: Centre for Child Health and Adolescent Health, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Shams
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: El Arifeen
authors.affiliation: World Bank, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Timothy G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.affiliation: Centre for Child Health and Adolescent Health, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Tanvir
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Huda
authors.affiliation: Centre for Reproductive Health, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Reichenbach
mesh_terms: D001459:Bangladesh; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D057286:Electronic Health Records; D005192:Family Health; D018166:Health Care Reform / Q000458:organization & administration; D006285:Health Planning / Q000458:organization & administration; D006291:Health Policy; D006296:Health Services / Q000600:supply & distribution; D006298:Health Services Administration; D006801:Humans; D019472:Universal Health Insurance / Q000458:organization & administration*