Landmark Reform: Separate Public Service Commission (Health) for Bangladesh
It is a good news for Bangladesh’s health sector that 24 political parties have agreed to establish a separate Public Service Commission (Health)—a landmark proposal set to be included in the July Charter for health sector reform.
This initiative reflects a growing consensus that Bangladesh’s health system needs a specialized, professional, and accountable recruitment and promotion mechanism. A dedicated PSC (Health) would ensure that the selection process focuses on clinical competence, ethical standards, and sector-specific needs, placing the right people in the right positions.
When linked with wider reforms such as an autonomous Bangladesh Health Service (BHS), regional health authorities, and a physician-led secretariat, this move could help break the cycle of bureaucratic inertia and strengthen the foundations of the health system. It would improve workforce morale, ensure fairness in career progression, and ultimately lead to better patient care in Bangladesh.
Challenges remain—such as professional identity, cadre equity, and navigating constitutional and legal reforms. Yet, by embedding this proposal into the July Charter, political leaders are sending a strong signal: health system reform cannot succeed without fixing recruitment, promotion, and accountability at the root.
If implemented with foresight and fairness, a separate Public Service Commission (Health) could become a cornerstone of systemic change, ushering in a more equitable, efficient, and quality-driven health service in Bangladesh.