Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain has said the government is committed to bringing positive changes to the country’s healthcare system through various initiatives, including the recruitment of doctors.
He made the remarks as the chief guest at a public seminar titled “Every Heartbeat is Life” organised at the National Heart Foundation in Mirpur, Dhaka, on Wednesday marking World Heart Day.
The seminar was chaired by Professor Khondkar Abdul Awal Rizvi, president of the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh.
Textiles and Jute Ministry Secretary Sharaf Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury, National Heart Foundation Secretary General Professor Fazila-Tun-Nesa Malik, Director General of the Directorate of Health Education Nazmul Hossain and Professor Sohel Reza Chowdhury, among others, attended the event. Joint Secretary General of the National Heart Foundation Naushad Hossain delivered the vote of thanks.
The health minister said the government has taken various initiatives to bring healthcare services closer to people. He said work was underway to upgrade all upazila health complexes from 50 beds to 151 beds. The government has also taken initiatives to establish 10 dialysis centres at district-level hospitals and 50 at medical college hospitals.
He said the initiatives would reduce pressure on hospitals in Dhaka and allow people in different regions to access necessary treatment in their own areas.
Sakhawat said the health sector received the highest-ever allocation in the latest budget, adding that the government was focusing not only on infrastructure development but also on ensuring adequate manpower for healthcare services.
As part of this effort, recruitment of nurses has already begun, he said.
The minister also expressed concern over the rise in HIV infections in the country, saying people need to bring positive changes to their lifestyles to remain healthy. He stressed the need to increase public awareness about health issues.
Sakhawat said government initiatives would continue to make heart disease prevention and treatment more accessible.
He called for greater public awareness, tobacco control, healthy lifestyles and early detection of diseases to reduce the risk of heart disease.
“Preventing heart disease requires coordinated efforts from individuals, families, society and the state,” he said.
Textiles and Jute Ministry Secretary Sharaf Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury said all relevant institutions need to work together alongside the health sector to prevent heart disease. He stressed the importance of ensuring tobacco-free workplaces and taking effective measures to control the use of e-cigarettes and other emerging nicotine products.
Director General of the Directorate of Health Education Nazmul Hossain said identifying risk factors at an early stage was essential for preventing heart disease. He said controlling risks such as high blood pressure, diabetes, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and tobacco use could significantly reduce the prevalence of heart disease.
He called for strengthening preventive healthcare services alongside health education and public awareness programmes.
