The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) is implementing a range of reform measures to strengthen the resilience, efficiency, and equity of the health system in line with the recommendations of the Health Reform Commission (2025). These reforms aim to align Bangladesh’s health system with the principles of equity, participation, and accountability ensuring that health is realized as both a constitutional right and a public good. In this regard, the Ministry has prepared a comprehensive proposal titled “Health Sector Transformation in Bangladesh”, outlining the strategic priorities, implementation modalities, and expected outcomes of the reform agenda. The proposal emphasizes eight key strategic areas including governance and institutional reform, primary healthcare restructuring, workforce planning, financial sustainability, digital transformation, medicine regulation, documentation of transition strategies, and stakeholder communication. The Ministry seeks the technical and strategic partnership of the World Health Organization (WHO) to support the implementation of these reform initiatives.
This position is crucial for supporting MoHFW in establishing evidence-based pricing for diagnostics and designing a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Cell, contributing to improved financial governance and resource allocation in the health sector.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) aims to strengthen financial governance and ensure cost-effective allocation of health resources. Rising healthcare costs, especially for essential medicines, diagnostics, and emerging technologies, necessitate a systematic and evidence-based approach to pricing and investment decisions.
To address these challenges, MoHFW seeks to:
This consultancy will support MoHFW in developing frameworks, methodologies, and institutional arrangements that enhance transparency, accountability, and sustainability in the health sector.
Objectives of the Assignment
Establishing evidence-based pricing for diagnostics; and
Designing a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Cell to guide investment in safe, effective, and economically viable health technologies.
The consultant will undertake the following tasks:
a) Pricing Analysis and Recommendations
Conduct an analysis of current pricing structures for essential medicines and diagnostic tests within the autonomous Medical University, NGO hospitals and private facilities.
Identify the pricing of medicine and diagnostics in a cost recovery model (without profit)
Develop an evidence-based pricing framework for diagnostics, .
b) Design of the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Cell
Conduct a needs assessment and review international best practices and models for HTA institutions.
Define the mandate, scope, and functions of the HTA Cell within the national health governance system.
Develop a proposed organisational structure, staffing plan, roles and responsibilities, and capacity requirements.
Draft rules of business, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and operational workflows for evidence generation, appraisal, and dissemination.
Establish coordination and reporting mechanisms between the HTA Cell, MoHFW departments, regulatory bodies, procurement units, and development partners.
Propose a framework for HTA Guidelines, covering methods for assessing safety, effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and budget impact.
Develop a phased implementation plan and sustainability roadmap for institutionalizing HTA functions within MoHFW.
Expected Deliverables:
Sl. No.
Activities
Deliverables
Timeline
1
Market Review and Pricing Analysis –
Conduct a comprehensive review of essential medicines and diagnostics pricing at public facilities; analyze procurement, distribution, and pricing structures to identify cost variations and efficiency gaps.
Pricing Analysis Report –
Evidence-based report presenting analysis of price structures, cost drivers, and market trends for essential medicines and diagnostics in public health facilities.
Day 1–10
2
Development of Pricing Framework and Methodology –
Design an evidence-based framework and methodology for continuous price monitoring, periodic adjustment, and transparent pricing mechanisms.
Comprehensive Review and Evidence-Based Recommendations and Framework and Methodology for Continuous Price Monitoring and Adjustment –
Detailed framework document proposing indicators, benchmarks, and implementation processes.
Day 11–20
3
Design of Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Cell –
Develop the concept, structure, and operational framework for the HTA Cell, ensuring alignment with MoHFW institutional setup and policy priorities.
HTA Cell Proposal –
Detailed design outlining governance, staffing, coordination mechanisms, and operational guidelines for HTA integration within MoHFW.
Day 21–30
4
Development of HTA Guidelines and Methodological Framework –
Draft guidelines defining processes for systematic evaluation of health technologies (drugs, diagnostics, devices, and procedures), including criteria for safety, efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and budget impact.
HTA Guidelines Document –
Comprehensive framework and methodology for evidence-based evaluation, prioritization, and decision-making on health technologies.
Day 31–40
