Bangladesh: planning for health.

Since independence Bangladesh has consistently pursued a policy of providing health care to the unserved and underserved particularly the rural population which makes up 90% of the entire population. The 2nd Five-Year Plan (1980-1985) reflects the national commitment to the immediate goal of minimum health care for all. To realize the goal of a level of health that will enable every individual to lead a socially and economically productive life by the year 2000 the government has formulated 4 categories of objectives with indicators for each--health status health care delivery quality of life and coverage and accessibility. The 11 health care delivery objectives include the general objective of the expanded program of immunization the coverage with antenatal natal and postnatal care of 90% of pregnant women by the year 2000 and the provision of essential drugs vaccines contraceptives and other family planning services. To give direction to the program and enable progress to be monitored indicators and targets have been established. The government policy has been to provide comprehensive health care. The plan of action to realize the objectives provides for a national council for the development of health for all by the year 2000. The 2nd Five-Year Plan envisages a health care system with 4 levels of services beginning with primary health care and progressing to highly specialized care. Attention is directed to intersectoral collaboration community participation financial and social resources health personnel development for primary health care and health services research.