Proposed 'Sports for UHC Model' As Innovative Financing Option for Moving Towards Universal Health Coverage: Case Study of Bangladesh

Abstract

Introduction: Sports bears gargantuan potentials with an aim to achieve universal health coverage (UHC) through mitigating the existing financing gap prevalent across the globe including the countries have been failed to move the pathway of UHC. In order to prevailing a lack of study on this phenomenal issue, indeed uplifts my interest to work for presenting a scientific study where Bangladesh, a low middle income country, has been considered as sample country. Objectives: This study is conducted for exploring “Sport for UHC Model” as an innovative, pragmatic, and sustainable financing option for moving towards universal health coverage in any country. This model initially has been tried to fit in with Bangladesh hypothetically based on the secondary data related to the status of sports, especially cricket which is the most popular sport in Bangladesh. Methodology: Both exploratory and descriptive research approach used in conducting this study where key informant interview dealt with the personnel of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), and Directorate General of Health Economics Unit (DGHEU). Findings: Predominantly, Sports for UHC Model has been developed through this study for mitigating the financing gap required for achieving universal health coverage in different countries. In this case, financing gap between the actual required level of achieving UHC and the projected estimation of total public health expenditure, with 6% growth rate, prevails in Bangladesh. In response to that gap, unmasking the innovative financing options is imperative. On that ground, the possible revenue from those international cricket matches happened between 2015 and 2016 is BDT 15,49,000 if BDT 5 is cut from each ticket price and it would be BDT 30,98,000, if BDT 10 is cut from each ticket price. Conclusions: Moving towards UHC through generating innovative financing, “Sports for UHC model” bears potential intuition to play role as a financing gap alleviator in public health sector.