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Review
. 2022 Oct 8:7:100087.
doi: 10.1016/j.lansea.2022.100087. eCollection 2022 Dec.

A critical look at synergies and fragmentations of universal health coverage, global health security, and health promotion in delivery of frontline health care services: A case study of Bangladesh

Malabika Sarker  1   2 , Puspita Hossain  1   3 , Syeda Tahmina Ahmed  1 , Mrittika Barua  1 , Ipsita Sutradhar  1 , Syed Masud Ahmed  1
Affiliations
Review

A critical look at synergies and fragmentations of universal health coverage, global health security, and health promotion in delivery of frontline health care services: A case study of Bangladesh

Malabika Sarker et al. Lancet Reg Health Southeast Asia. .

Abstract

Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Global Health Security (GHS) activities encompass mitigation of risks to health and well-being rights posed by infectious disease outbreaks and facilitated by health promotion (HP) activities. This case study investigated Bangladesh's readiness and capacity to 'prevent, detect and respond' to such outbreaks of an epidemic/pandemic nature. A rapid review of relevant documents, key informant interviews with policymakers/practitioners, and a deliberative dialogue with a crisscross of stakeholders were used to identify challenges and opportunities for 'synergy' among these streams of activities. Findings reveal conceptual ambiguity among respondents about the scope of the three `agendas and their inter-linkages. They perceived the synergy between UHC and GHS superfluous and were obsessed with losing their respective constituencies and resources. Poor coordination among the focal agencies in field activities, lack of supporting infrastructure, and shortage of human and financial resources posed additional challenges for better pandemic/epidemic preparation in future.

Funding: This study, "Researching the UHC-GHS-HP Triangle in Bangladesh," was funded by the Wellcome Trust, UK.

Keywords: Bangladesh; Case study; Global health security; Health promotion; Synergy and fragmentation; Universal health coverage.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors confirm that there are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) flowchart of included studies.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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