Four ways Bangladesh can support its oldest population

One in every five citizens will be aged 60 and above by 2050.

Similar to other Asian populations, Bangladesh is also at risk of a growing ageing population, with one in every five citizens being 60 years old and above, a World Bank statement showed.

The World Bank post authored by Tapash Paul, showed that policymakers can address this through financing, innovation, regulation, and evaluation.

Under financing, the World Bank said the government should allot a budget based on outputs such as a number of NCD screenings, and health education sessions. 

“It should also establish clear guidelines and have an integrated approach by involving different ministries to share the associated costs,” read the statement.

For innovation, digital health technologies can enhance patient follow-up and increase accessibility to care for older adults with limited mobility.

“A digital database can provide disease tracking, patient follow-up through mobile text messaging, and telemedicine functionality, for which the health workforce needs to be trained and equipped with telehealth tools,” it added.

The World Bank also advised the government to “increase oversight over the private sector and telemedicine for quality control and to train relevant healthcare professionals on financial regulation and budget management to facilitate the financial management of long-term care for older adults.” 

Further, they need to make sure there is accountability from the health workforce by improving monitoring and supervision.

Lastly, evaluation, which allows policymakers to consider creating a district-level NCD medical officer role to regularly monitor and evaluate the long-term care program. 

“The relevant authorities also need to better monitor and evaluate standard operating procedures, training of health professionals, database maintenance, regular report generation, clinical audits, and referral follow-up,” read the statement.