Home ›› 26 Nov 2021 ›› Front
The country needs accurate and real-time useable data to take up policy measures and implement them as the Covid-19 pandemic has it made clear, according to the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD).
The local think-tank came up with the observation at a virtual dialogue on “Data-driven policymaking during the pandemic: Taking the experience forward” held on Thursday.
“The demand for credible data as well as real-time and useable data has increased tremendously over the last two years,” said CPD distinguished fellow Debapriya Bhattacharya.
In providing the real-time and accurate data, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) and Statistics and Informatics Division (SID) have to take timely and effective initiative to help the policymakers to take right decision, he suggested.
“There have been institutional data initiatives in the face of the pandemic, but they are yet to evolve into a structured and regular system. A number of innovative data initiatives were taken in view of the Covid-19 pandemic,” viewed Muntaseer Kamal, senior research associate of CPD, in his keynote presentation.
The institutional arrangements are concentrated on health and have not spilt over to other areas of the data ecosystem, he said, arguing that in the case of most initiatives, a ‘government agency centric’ approach was followed while a selected few took the ‘whole of society’ path.
Both the government and the non-government entities had to take up multiple roles such as data generator, data manager, data user, data appraiser to carry out the Covid-19 targeted data initiatives.
The policy regarding the use of data was found to be rather limited. There was a clear lack of understanding on the part of the government as regards the data initiatives, observed the CPD.
The multitude of actors involved in the decision-making process made the situation worse. The policymakers were not ready to accommodate the data initiatives undertaken by subordinate agencies at the beginning of the pandemic, said the think tank.
Taking part in the programme as the chief guest Statistics and Information Division Secretary Shahnaz Arefin said the department is responsible for enhancing strong statistical system, collecting and disseminating information about statistical population, demographic dividend, agriculture, economy and social indicators to boost economic growth.
“BBS and SID are trying to provide data. The initiative has begun. We are working for years to prepare smart and simple data system,” she added.
In her address, Swiss Ambassador to Bangladesh Nathalie Chuard posited that Bangladesh has strong commitment to development, and it has engaged in global partnership for support to data.
“Data statistics is needed for sustainable development,” said the envoy.
Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) Director General Mohammad Tajul Islam maintained that different survey findings help the government take the new initiatives to formulate and update strategies and policies.
“BBS has conducted rapid survey on poverty assessment for providing policy support to the government in order for eradicating poverty and employment,” he added.
