On July 26, 2023, the Global Learning Collaborative for Health Systems Resilience (GLC4HSR) launched its Bangladesh Chapter in partnership with Bangladesh Health Watch and the James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, marking its second chapter after India.
In August, the collaborative released the proceedings of the launch event, capturing impactful addresses from distinguished speakers some of which are:
Prof Mushtaque Chowdhury, Advisor, James P. Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, thanked ACCESS Health International for the initiative. He emphasized the need for stronger and more resilient health systems, especially in light of the vulnerabilities exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr Krishna Reddy Nallamalla, President (Asia), ACCESS Health International, provided context and outlined the collaborative’s history and vision. He highlighted the significance of such partnerships in building resilient health systems capable of withstanding both pandemics and routine health challenges.
Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, Chairperson, BRAC University, discussed the transformation of Bangladesh’s health systems over the past 50 years. He highlighted the role of women in socio-economic development, rural-urban connectivity, food security, and key drivers of change, including grassroots innovation, political accountability, and policy entrepreneurship. Dr Rahman stressed the importance of viewing the health system holistically, encompassing healthcare and public health, especially in light of the lessons learned from COVID-19.
Prof (Dr) Malay Kanti Mridha, Director, Centre for Non-Communicable Diseases and Nutrition, James P. Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, presented the Health Resilience Measurement Tool. This tool, developed by ACCESS Health International experts, includes six building blocks: disaster mitigation framework, city resilience, e-resilience, UNDRR-Sendai framework, HS-WHO, and a checklist to enhance health system resilience.
Dr Yasmin H Ahmed, Advisor, Bangladesh Health Watch, offered an overview of the organization, which was founded in 2006 with a mission to promote universal health coverage for all Bangladesh citizens. The Bangladesh Chapter launch event celebrated the commitment to improving health system resilience, a critical endeavour in a rapidly changing world. You can access the full session proceedings by clicking HERE.