Bangladesh wakes up to research and development finding itself caught up in its war on the deadly coronavirus pandemic with its fragile health delivery system.
In this volatile and fledgling health climate, the government feels the need to improve the health system. Therefore, an allocation of Tk 100 crore has been made for integrated health science research and development, according to a finance ministry official who is now involved in the process.
Ministry of Finance is finalizing the policy for the implementation of the activities of this fund. The policy emphasizes research on medical technological advances, including the production of new drugs and vaccines. This information has been known from the relevant sources of the finance division.
In the 2020-21 fiscal year budget speech it is mentioned that the health and family welfare ministry will create a fund of Tk 100 crore for research and development of country’s health sector.
In the context of the aims and objectives of this research programme, the Finance Division of the Ministry of Finance has already finalized the draft policy on the use of funds. This policy will be issued only if the Prime Minister approves of it.
According to the draft policy, the government aims to create infrastructure for basic and practical medical research in the country and introduce research activities.
To use the acquired knowledge for the overall development of health, health-education, public health, microbiology, pathology, disease control etc. The government wants to create new innovation capabilities in the health sector.
In addition, the development of medical care and education and treatment for our own people through the development of medical technology, including new drugs, vaccines.
The policy also includes encouragement knowledge translation and exchange by expanding or establishing communication between research and government policymakers and thereby utilizing the results of evidence-based research in healthcare development as well as advancing medical science and technology and collaborating with various international organizations.
The policy on beneficiaries states that patients and service-seekers will benefit from the basic innovations required in the diagnosis and control of new diseases and the application of researched knowledge in the field of medicine. The masses will benefit from the development of effective and new medical methods based on research to alleviate complex diseases. In addition, the results of the study will give physicians, nurses and health workers new ideas about pathology and disease control, public health and medical technology, which will help build a healthy nation.
Regarding the implementation strategy, it is said that the 'National Committee' and the 'Technical Committee' are set out in the policy to determine how the funds of the Integrated Health Sciences Research and Development Fund will be allocated to whom, what will be the selection method of the researcher or research institute. It has been proposed to form two separate committees.
As the president of the 11-member national committee, the country's renowned neurologist. Kazi Deen Mohammad has been proposed for inclusion.
In addition, it has been proposed to include in this committee professors who are skilled, professional and established specialists in health sciences or public health research. It further said that it would be appropriate to give the proposed National Committee the opportunity to work for at least three years initially. The term of the committee may be extended or the committee may be reconstituted at a later date based on the efficiency and results of the committee.
Besides, it has been proposed to form a technical committee headed by the Additional or Joint Secretary (Administration Division) of the Department of Health Education and Family Welfare. This committee will initially scrutinize the research proposals received. For this reason, it has been proposed to include in this seven-member committee professors who are skilled, professional and established specialists in health sciences or research.
“If you want to know about the Department of Health Education and Family Welfare (Administration Division)” Shah Alam said “They are ready to implement the responsibility given to them by the government to implement such a good initiative.”
He also said, “This is a new initiative in the context of the country, commented that if it is implemented, it will bring welfare to the health sector.”
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