Yunus cautions against leaving healthcare to profit-driven actors

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has cautioned against leaving healthcare in the hands of profit-driven actors, emphasising that in healthcare, profit maximisation often becomes the priority.

"In the case of healthcare, it may be money-making, very simply. Profit maximisation is behind that. So, healthcare gets derailed because of the money-making approach," he said.

Prof Yunus made the remarks while speaking at the UNGA high-level working session on 'Transforming Primary Healthcare -- Bangladesh's Blueprint' in New York on Wednesday.

While there are vast opportunities to generate profit in the name of healthcare, this approach poses risks, he said.

"We raised a fundamental issue -- medicine and healthcare should not be left to profit-seekers alone. I am not saying they are bad people, but healthcare must not be driven solely by them," said Yunus.

Highlighting vaccine inequities during the Covid-19 pandemic, Yunus pointed out that the distribution was "deeply flawed", with 10 countries receiving around 80 percent of global vaccine supplies.

He advocated for the social business model in healthcare, emphasising its potential to address social problems worldwide.

Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul, Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum, Special Envoy on International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi, SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed, NCP leader Dr Tasnim Jara, and BRAC Executive Director Dr Asif Saleh also attended the event.