The government has formed five reform commissions to address critical issues and promote the country’s overall development, according to separate summary documents released yesterday by the cabinet division.

Each commission has been directed to launch its activities immediately and submit a detailed report to the Chief Advisor, Prof. Muhammad Yunus, within 90 days.

Health Care Reform Commission

The Healthcare Reform Commission, headed by Professor AK Azad Khan, President of the Bangladesh Diabetic Society, aims to ensure universal access to healthcare. The commission will develop concrete strategies to address systemic gaps and challenges in the health sector.

The other members are Professor Mohammad Jakir Hossain, Public Health and Health Informatics Specialist, BSMMU; Professor Liyakot Ali, president of the Pothikrit Foundation; Professor Sayeba Akter, gynecologist; Professor Nayela Zaman Khan, Department of Pediatric Neurosciences; MM Reza, former secretary; Professor Mozaherul Haque, WHO Regional Advisor for South-East Asia; Azharul Islam, icddr,b; Professor Syed Md Akram Hussain, Square Cancer Centre; Professor Syed Atikul Haque, Chief Consultant, Green Life Center for Rheumatic Care and Research; Ahmed Ahsanul Rahman, Scientist, Department of Child and Maternal Health, icddr,b, and Umayer Afif, 5th year student of Dhaka Medical College.

Labor Reform Commission

To protect the rights of workers and promote their welfare, the government constituted a Labor Reform Commission, headed by Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, executive director of the Bangladesh Institute of Labor Studies. The commission will work with stakeholders to produce a report that prioritizes labor rights and prosperity.

Other members include Mahfuzul Haque, former secretary of the Ministry of Labor and Employment and the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change; Jakir Hossain, professor at the Institute of Bangladeshi Studies, Rajshahi University; Tapan Dutta, president of the Chattogram divisional committee of the Bangladesh Central Trade Union; AKM Nasim, former president of Bangladesh Industrial Court Bar Association; Mr Kamran T Rahman, former president of the Bangladesh Employers’ Federation; Chowdhury Ashikul Alam, president of Bangladesh Sangha Union; Shakil Akhter Chowdhury, general secretary of the Bangladesh Labor Federation; Taslima Akhter, photographer and labor organizer; and a student representative.

Media Reform Commission

In the media sector, an 11-member Media Reform Commission was established, headed by senior journalist Kamal Ahmed. The commission is expected to offer recommendations to improve media practices and ensure press freedom.

The other members of the commission are Gitiara Nasreen, professor at the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, University of Dhaka; Shamsul Haque Zahid, editor-in-chief of the Financial Express; Akhtar Hossain Khan, secretary of the Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB); Syed Abdal Ahmed, former general secretary of the National Press Club; Fahim Ahmed, general manager of Jamuna TV; Jimi Amir, journalist; Mostafa Shabuj, Bogura correspondent for the Daily Star; Titu Datta, deputy editor of The Business Standard; a representative of the Association of Television Channel Owners (ATCO); Abdullah Al Mamun, a student representative.

Local Government Reform Commission

A local government reform commission, headed by Tofail Ahmed, former chairman of the Department of Public Administration at Chittagong University, was tasked with improving the effectiveness of local governance structures. The eight-member body will develop measures to empower local governments and make them more accountable.

The other members of the commission are AMM Nasiruddin, former secretary of the Ministry of Health; Abdur Rahman, senior counsel at the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court; Mahfuz Kabir, research director at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies; Mashuda Khatun Shefali, President and CEO of Bangladesh Women’s Foundation; Professor Mohammad Tarikul Islam of the Department of Government and Politics, Jahangirnagar University; and a student representative.

Women’s Affairs Reform Commission

The government formed the Women’s Affairs Reform Commission, appointing Nari Pokkho founding member Shireen Parveen Haque as its head.

The commission was tasked with proposing reforms aimed at strengthening the participation and empowerment of women at all levels of society.

The commission included eminent personalities from various sectors. The members are Maheen Sultan, senior researcher at the Brac Institute of Governance and Development; Sara Hossain, executive director of Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (Blast); Fawzia Karim Firoze, president of the National Association of Women Lawyers of Bangladesh; Kalpona Akter, president of the Bangladesh Industrial and Garment Workers’ Federation; Halida Hanum Akhter, women’s health expert; Sumaiya Islam, executive director of Bangladesh Nari Sramik Kendra; Nirupa Dewan, former member of the National Human Rights Commission; Ferdousi Sultana, former Senior Social Development Advisor, Asian Development Bank; and Nishita Zaman Niha, a student representative.