The National Doctors Forum (NDF) has called for gradually increasing Bangladesh’s public health expenditure to 5 percent of GDP in the national budget. The demand was made at a roundtable titled “National Health Budget 2026–27” held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity on Thursday. NDF leaders said the current allocation of only 0.7 percent of GDP is inadequate to meet public healthcare needs, forcing citizens to bear most medical costs themselves.

Economist Dr. Mizanur Rahman presented the keynote paper, noting that according to the World Health Organization, countries should spend at least 5 percent of GDP on health. He said about 70 percent of total health expenses in Bangladesh come directly from people’s pockets, creating financial risks for low- and middle-income groups. Participants, including lawmakers and health economists, emphasized that health should be treated as a long-term investment rather than an expense.

The NDF also proposed raising per capita health allocation to 100 dollars, expanding ICU, NICU, dialysis, cancer, and cardiac facilities at district levels, and introducing national health insurance. The forum recommended increased funding for medical education, rural health incentives, improved drug supply in public hospitals, and wider use of digital health and telemedicine.