Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed the immediate rollout of an ‘e-Health’ card initiative aimed at ensuring healthcare services for citizens across the country.
The directive was given on Wednesday (March 4) during a meeting at the Secretariat with the Health Minister, State Minister, advisers, and public health experts. The information was later confirmed by Additional Press Secretary Atiqur Rahman Rumon.
According to the press secretary, the Prime Minister instructed the Health Minister to begin work on implementing the e-health card programme without delay.
“The government’s policy is to deliver healthcare services to the doorsteps of the people. The Prime Minister has asked the ministry to be more proactive in this regard,” Atiqur Rahman Rumon said.
During the meeting, discussions were also held on identifying abandoned government buildings and converting them into health centers under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It was noted that 170 abandoned buildings under LGED alone have been identified.
The Prime Minister directed that unused buildings belonging to various ministries and affiliated institutions be transformed into clinics and medical centers to expand access to healthcare.
Population growth was another key issue raised at the meeting. Statistics presented showed that approximately 3.4 million newborns are born each year, prompting concern among participants. The Prime Minister urged the ministry to intensify efforts in population control measures.
The meeting also discussed the recruitment of 100,000 healthcare workers, in line with BNP’s electoral pledge, with 80 per cent women and 20 per cent men, as well as filling vacant posts for doctors and health workers within the ministry.
Additionally, the Prime Minister instructed the Health Minister to ensure that doctors remain regularly present at healthcare centres in remote and hard-to-reach areas.
Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain, State Minister MA Muhith, and other senior government officials were present at the meeting.
