DHAKA, May 21, (V7N) – State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr. M A Muhit is leading Bangladesh’s delegation at the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, where he emphasized the government’s commitment to placing health at the center of national development.
Delivering Bangladesh’s official statement on May 19, Dr. Muhit noted that more than 70 percent of healthcare expenditure is still borne directly by individuals, pushing many families into poverty. He said the government is working to gradually increase public health allocations, strengthen primary healthcare, establish an effective referral system, and introduce digitalization to improve services.
Alongside the main session, Dr. Muhit also joined a Global Vaccine Alliance policymaking meeting, where he outlined Bangladesh’s ongoing health reform agenda, including awareness programs and lifestyle promotion. He expressed concern about the adverse health impacts of climate change, which is altering disease patterns and straining the healthcare system.
The state minister highlighted the burden of hosting over 1.3 million Rohingya refugees, saying their prolonged presence has placed severe pressure on Bangladesh’s limited health infrastructure. He urged world leaders to finalize a transparent and equitable Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system.
Dr. Muhit also stressed efficient resource use and stronger global cooperation to combat non-communicable diseases and antimicrobial resistance, calling them silent killers. The assembly, the largest international health gathering, is expected to conclude on May 23.
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