PM orders pilot project for national e-health platform

Prime Minister Tarek Rahman has directed the authorities concerned to launch a pilot project in several districts as part of the government’s plan to introduce a National E-Health Platform.

The initiative aims to bring the country’s healthcare system under an integrated digital framework.

The issue was discussed at a meeting on an integrated information technology system for the health sector at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon on Saturday. Prime Minister Tarek Rahman chaired the meeting.

Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu said the meeting discussed the proposed structure, management system and use of the platform in healthcare services.

The pilot project will assess the platform’s effectiveness, possible challenges, costs and feasibility. Its scope will be expanded gradually after reviewing the experience and results of the pilot project.

The Prime Minister directed the authorities to ensure effective use of information technology in healthcare. He stressed that the system should be designed to make healthcare services easier for the public and ensure secure storage of patients’ health information, with authorised doctors and healthcare institutions able to access the information when necessary.

He also stressed ensuring data security and privacy, as well as making the platform user-friendly, cost-effective and sustainable.

Engineer Zakaria Swapan gave a presentation on various aspects of the proposed platform.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain, State Minister Dr MA Muhit, Prime Minister’s Special Assistants Dr SM Ziauddin Haider and Dr Shakirul Islam Khan, Health Services Division Secretary Md Kamruzzaman Chowdhury, Information and Communication Technology Secretary Md Mamunur Rashid and senior officials concerned attended the meeting.

SKS