Narayanganj, Jun 14 (V7N) – Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain has said the government is committed to bringing healthcare services to the doorstep of citizens, announcing major expansions in staffing, infrastructure, and emergency care across the country.
He made the remarks on Sunday morning while inaugurating Intensive Care Unit (ICU) services across 10 districts and inspecting facilities at Narayanganj General Hospital.
The Health Minister stated that around 1 percent of GDP—approximately Tk 69,000 crore—has been allocated to the health sector in the current national budget, which he described as a reflection of the government’s priority on public healthcare.
He also announced plans to recruit nearly 100,000 health workers nationwide, with 80,000 of them expected to be women. According to him, these workers will be deployed at upazila and union levels to provide maternal healthcare services, including door-to-door support for pregnant mothers.
Addressing ongoing public health programs, the minister said the government has strengthened vaccination initiatives, particularly for measles prevention. He claimed that earlier gaps in vaccine supply and distribution had been addressed with support from UNICEF, and that nationwide expansion of immunization programs is now underway.
The minister also emphasized the importance of improving service standards in hospitals, warning that past levels of service would not be acceptable going forward. He urged healthcare workers to adopt a service-oriented mindset, noting that the Prime Minister has placed special emphasis on upgrading the health sector.
In response to rising dengue concerns, the minister said ICU services are being expanded in 10 districts as a precautionary measure. He added that partnerships with the private sector helped establish the new facilities.
He further announced plans to procure four helicopters to strengthen emergency medical transport, enabling faster transfer of critical patients from upazila-level facilities to district or specialized hospitals.
During the inspection, the minister expressed dissatisfaction over sanitation conditions at the hospital, particularly in the kitchen and surrounding areas. He instructed officials to clean and improve hygiene standards within three days and warned of administrative action against responsible authorities if improvements are not made.
Officials say the new initiatives are part of a broader effort to modernize Bangladesh’s healthcare system and improve access to emergency and primary medical services nationwide.
END/SMA/AJ
