DHAKA, June 30, 2026 (v7n): Social Welfare Minister Abu Zafar Md. Zahid Hossain today emphasized the critical need to embrace modern technology to deliver top-tier healthcare services to patients, especially children, living at the grassroots level. He insisted that outmoded medical approaches must be replaced with advanced technological solutions to ensure every child across the country has access to the highest standards of clinical treatment.

The Minister made these statements during a financial aid distribution ceremony held at the Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute in Dhaka. Arranged by the Patient Welfare Association and funded directly by the Ministry of Social Welfare, the initiative reinforces the government's mandate to safeguard the well-being of children while subsidizing healthcare for impoverished and marginalized families.

Highlighting a vital demographic reality, the Minister noted that children account for roughly 34 percent of the country's population. Because of this large share, he stressed that specialized, high-quality pediatric services must be systematically distributed across all rural and district hospitals rather than being confined to the capital city.

Dr. Zahid further explained that the current administration has substantially scaled up its social safety net allocations and welfare frameworks compared to previous years. Within this expanded framework, providing direct financial relief to low-income families tackling severe childhood medical crises remains an essential priority for his ministry.

To offer immediate economic relief, the Minister personally handed out cash assistance checks valued at Tk 50,000 each to the guardians of 40 children currently hospitalized with life-threatening conditions. The targeted grants are designed to offset treatment costs for chronic and severe health challenges, including congenital heart defects, kidney failures, cancer, liver cirrhosis, and stroke-induced paralysis.

The high-profile welfare event concluded with active participation from the Ministry's Secretary, the Director General of the Department of Social Services, senior hospital administrators, specialist physicians, nursing staff, and the families of the young patients.

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