‘Health sector still bears brunt of politicisation’

FENI, Aug 13: The country is still suffering from the adverse effects of politicisation in the health sector over the past one and a half decades, said the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant for Health Affairs Dr SM Ziauddin Haider.
“There are shortages of manpower and various limitations in the health sector. The biggest challenge now is to overcome these limitations and ensure that the right people are placed in the right positions,” he told journalists after visiting Feni General Hospital on Wednesday.
He said the posts of Feni civil surgeon and superintendent of Feni General Hospital have remained vacant for a long time, reflecting a broader problem across the country.
“Many districts are facing manpower shortage in important positions. I have taken note of the vacancies in Feni. After returning to Dhaka, I will discuss the matter with the relevant officials and take steps to fill the posts,” he said.
Ziauddin said the government was giving priority to the health sector, with the allocation for healthcare increased by 37 per cent in the latest budget.
The allocation has risen from 0.6-0.7 per cent of GDP previously to 1.10 per cent this year, he said, adding that the government was working to overhaul the health sector.
He said the government was also working to address shortages of healthcare workers and equipment.
“Doctors, nurses, medical technologists and other necessary staff and equipment will be ensured in line with the capacity and requirements of upazila health complexes, district hospitals and medical college hospitals,” he said.
“Visible qualitative changes in the health sector will be seen soon,” he added.
Speaking about the government’s priority health card initiative, Ziauddin said it would keep records of a patient’s treatment, medicines and diagnostic tests.
“This will help monitor healthcare services more effectively,” he said.
During his visit to Feni General Hospital, Ziauddin inspected the dialysis unit, special care newborn unit (SCANU), ICU, dengue ward, high dependency unit (HDU), child development centre and emergency department.
He later held a meeting with hospital officials and local political leaders.
Deputy Commissioner Monira Haque, Directorate General of Health Services Director Dr Jalal Uddin, Acting Civil Surgeon Dr Sohrab Hossain, Acting Superintendent of Feni General Hospital Dr Mobarak Hossain, Assistant Resident Medical Officer Dr Roukon Uddoula, health officials and local political leaders were present.