PM Tarique Rahman Sees Future Doctors Reducing Overseas Medical Dependence
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has expressed optimism that today's medical students and interns will help reduce Bangladesh's dependence on overseas medical treatment by improving the quality of healthcare at home.
Speaking at the 81st anniversary of Dhaka Medical College on Saturday, he said the government is prioritizing healthcare through increased investment, workforce expansion, modern infrastructure, preventive care and technology-driven health services.
The Prime Minister announced that recruitment has begun for 5,000 MBBS doctors, while vacancies for nurses, medical technologists, pharmacists, midwives and other healthcare professionals will also be filled.
To strengthen community healthcare, the government is recruiting 100,000 healthcare workers, with 80 percent being women, to deliver preventive and primary healthcare services at the household level.
Highlighting healthcare security, he said 10 Ansar personnel will be deployed at every Upazila Health Complex to ensure a safer working environment for doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers.
He noted that the health sector has received a record BDT 69,409 crore allocation in the national budget, representing 1.02 percent of GDP, with a target of increasing it to 5 percent within five years.
The Prime Minister also announced plans to upgrade all 31-bed and 51-bed Upazila hospitals into 101-bed facilities and install solar power systems at hospitals to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply.
He further said tax and VAT have been reduced or withdrawn on several essential medical devices, including dialysis filters, cardiac stents, pacemakers, heart valves, intraocular lenses and selected cancer treatment materials, aiming to lower healthcare costs.
Five specialized children's hospitals, including newly built 200-bed hospitals in Barishal and Rajshahi, are also expected to begin operations soon.
Calling for responsible medical waste management, the Prime Minister urged healthcare institutions to maintain clean and environmentally safe hospital environments.
//DBTech/DMO/EK//
