The government of Bangladesh aims at a “revolution” in the country’s health sector within this year, reaffirming its commitment to improving healthcare services.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain said this on Saturday stressing the need for integrity in public service, saying every official must work honestly and that corruption and bribery would not be tolerated.
The minister made the remarks while addressing the 31st annual general meeting of the Narsingdi Diabetic Association at the Shishu Academy Auditoruim in the afternoon.
Sakhawat said a 50-bed dialysis centre would be established at every medical college hospital across the country.
He also said more doctors and healthcare workers would be recruited by strengthening community clinics at the union level, while family planning centres would be upgraded.
“We are undertaking new programmes in every sector to improve people’s lives and ensure Bangladesh stands tall on the world stage,” he said, adding that the current budget is “a budget of ideals” and that every initiative would be implemented free from corruption.
The minister also announced that Narsingdi Medical College will begin academic activities this year with an initial intake of 50 students. Until permanent facilities are built, the students will attend classes at the Narsingdi Nursing Institute, while the institute’s classes will be shifted to the new building of the 250-bed district hospital.
He said the government is currently identifying a suitable site for the medical college’s permanent campus, after which construction of the new academic building will begin.
Sakhawat further said one of the 18 state-of-the-art hospitals to be built across Bangladesh with Chinese assistance will be established in Narsingdi, preferably in or around the district town.
Narsingdi Deputy Commissioner and President of the Narsingdi Diabetic Association Israt Jahan Keya presided over the programme, which was inaugurated by Narsingdi Sadar MP Khairul Kabir Khokon.
Among others, MPs Manjur Elahi (Narsingdi-3, Shibpur) and Ashraf Uddin Bakul (Narsingdi-5, Raipura), Zilla Parishad Chairman Tofazzal Hossain, and other local dignitaries attended the event.
