Health budget to rise to 1pc of GDP

 
Bangladesh will increase its health sector allocation to 1 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in the upcoming national budget, up from 0.67 per cent in the previous fiscal year, Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Health Affairs Dr S M Ziauddin Haider has said.

He, however, described the allocation as still inadequate, speaking at a press conference organised by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on Wednesday to mark the nationwide Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign 2026.

Dr Haider said the health sector has long been underfunded, but new initiatives have been taken under the Prime Minister's guidance to strengthen healthcare delivery. He said the government is working to develop an integrated and effective primary healthcare system.

Under the plan, one primary healthcare unit will be established in every union and every urban ward across the country. Around 100,000 new healthcare workers will also be recruited to support the initiative.

He said each family will receive visits from health workers at least once a month. The workers will monitor health conditions at household level, including blood pressure and blood sugar checks, mental health screening, counselling for pregnant women, child development monitoring for children under five, and vaccination services.