G100, Green Delta Insurance hosts seminar on Shastho Shurokkha Kormoshuchi (SSK)

As part of G100 Meetings Bangladesh, a seminar on Shastho Shurokkha Kormoshuchi (SSK) - Bangladesh Govt’s flagship project to ensure universal health coverage, was organised by G100 and Green Delta Insurance on November 22.

Dr Enamul Haque, director general of Health Economics Unit (HEU) under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, graced the event as the chief guest, while Dr Syeda Naushin Parnini, director of Research at Health Economic Unit was present the keynote speaker, read a press release.

Among others, the Founder and President of G100 Dr Harbeen Arora Rai and G100 Global Chair of Healthcare & Wellness Farzanah Chowdhury, alongside of other high officials from SSK Cell, Health Economics Unit, Green Delta Insurance and members of G100 were also present at the seminar.

The purpose of the seminar was to enlighten how the SSK project has changed the lives of Bangladeshi people as well as improving facilities in rural area by taking recommendation and suggestion from the honourable guests, speakers and the beneficiaries.

Healthcare sector is one of the most important domains that impacts the entire global population and is closely linked to the development of any country. Thus, the importance of healthcare and wellness has received increased attention over the last decade, especially in developing nations. In this aspect, Bangladesh has made remarkable progress in the last 20 years in improving the lives of women and girls. SSK project is a glaring example of the progress Bangladesh has made in improving the healthcare infrastructure and ensuring universal healthcare of marginal people.

SSK is a dream project of Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina, for the population living below poverty line. The World Health Organization (WHO) has brought a concept titled ‘Universal Health Coverage (UHC)’ to ensure healthcare for everyone, regardless of their social status. The government of Bangladesh has also taken up the challenge to achieve UHC by the year 2032 through implementing Shastho Shurokhkha Kormoshuchi (SSK) project.

SSK pilot program was launched on March 24, 2016 at Kalihati upazila of Tangail District and later on September 14, 2017 at Modhupur and Ghatail upazila. Now, the SSK project is being expanded in 8 other upazila along with Tangail Sadar District. Since its launch in 2016, Green Delta Insurance has been dedicatedly working as the scheme operator of the project. A total of 158,311 households are enrolled in Tangail District under SSK project currently. Total 38,497 patients have received Inpatient service under SSK project, while 136,557 patients have visited OPD centers.