While the implementation of all complementary strategies in nutrition, healthcare, education, training, water supply and sanitation as a part of the overall SDF are essential to ensure the success of the life-cycle based social protection programmes, the importance of instituting an affordable health care system cannot be over-emphasized. Health-related shocks can be devastating for the poor and vulnerable population and the small amount of income transfers through the above schemes may not be fully adequate to mitigate all the health risks faced by the poor and the near poor. In recognition of this, the Government of Bangladesh has recently adopted a major health-financing strategy that outlines the Government’s approach to providing equitable healthcare opportunities to its citizens9. The Government is committed to implementing this health financing strategy, which will be a major complement to the NSPS.