Bangladesh Urges More Investment in Universal Health at UN

Professor Md Sayedur Rahman, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has urged for greater investment in universal health and well-being, with a focus on initiatives aimed at the youth. He made this call while delivering Bangladesh's national statement at the 58th session of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD58) at the United Nations Headquarters on April 7, as reported in an official release.

In his address, Prof Rahman emphasized the potential of social business models, advocating for partnerships that would see enterprises reinvesting profits into expanding healthcare access, fostering innovation in service delivery, and empowering local communities.

He also reaffirmed Bangladesh's commitment to global cooperation, stating that as a former Chair and current member of the UNFPA Executive Board, the country is ready to share its experiences, particularly in maternal health, gender equality, and building climate-resilient health systems.

Prof Rahman further spoke at a high-level side event, "Improving Health and Well-being for Women and Newborns," organized by UNFPA. In his speech, he stressed the vital role of midwives in improving maternal and newborn health and highlighted Bangladesh’s ongoing efforts in midwifery education and training. He noted that the country currently has around 3,000 professional midwives and is working to increase this number further to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Prof Rahman is in New York for the 58th session of the Commission on Population and Development, which runs from April 7-11. He is accompanied by Dr. Sarwar Bari, Secretary of the Medical Education and Family Welfare Division, and Shireen Parvin Huq, Chair of the Women Affairs Reforms Commission.