Dhaka, Aug 15 (V7N)- Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said the government is working to expand quality healthcare services beyond major cities and reach people in remote areas of the country.
He said specialized children's hospitals will be opened in Cumilla, Barisal, Khulna, Rangpur and Rajshahi in October.
The Prime Minister made the remarks after inaugurating the newly expanded 500-bed building of the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital in Agargaon, Dhaka, on Saturday (August 15) morning.
After the inauguration, he visited different departments of the hospital and spoke with officials about the services and facilities being provided to patients.
Tarique Rahman said healthcare is not only a fundamental right but also an important pillar of a country's economic and overall development. Ensuring accessible and equitable healthcare for everyone, he said, is therefore essential.
He stressed that advanced medical treatment cannot be considered comprehensive healthcare if it remains accessible only to wealthy people.
The Prime Minister also called for compassionate behaviour from doctors and healthcare professionals towards patients, saying it could further improve the quality of medical services.
He warned that if mistrust and insecurity develop among doctors, patients and their relatives, government initiatives alone will not be sufficient to achieve the desired improvements in healthcare.
Tarique Rahman further said work has begun to establish an effective referral system using e-health cards. The initiative aims to ensure that patients from remote areas can receive appropriate treatment closer to home instead of having to travel to Dhaka and incur additional expenses.
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