Bangladesh Health Watch formally launched their first report 'The State of Health in Bangladesh 2006 - Challenges of Achieving Equity in Health' on December 26, 2006 at the BRAC Centre. The launching was organized by the James P Grant School of Public Health, BRACU. Mr. Fazle Hasan Abed, Founder and Chairperson, BRAC chaired the ceremony. Dr. Abbas Bhuiya, Head, Poverty and Health, ICDDR, B and Convener of the Bangladesh Health Watch working group gave the welcome address. Dr. Rounaq Jahan, Member, Board of Directors, Research Initiatives Bangladesh (RIB) and Convener of the Advisory Board Health Watch group, presented a short summary of the key findings of the report and emphasized the importance of having civil society monitoring health. Professor Amartya Sen, Nobel Laureate and Chief Guest, commended the Health Watch initiative. He emphasized that increased slogan of privatization cannot provide health services to all citizens and basic public sector services are essential to provide health security. He also emphasized the importance of democracy and the right to information and strengthening of citizen's voices, which create pressure for better health services for all citizens. Ms. Adrienne Germain, President of the International Women's Health Coalition and Dr. George Soros, Chairman of Open Society Institute, were both special guests at this occasion. Mr. Abed, Founder and Chairperson of BRAC, concluded the ceremony, emphasizing the role of proper management in solving the nation's health problems.