Prime Minister’s Information Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman on Tuesday said the government is working relentlessly to ensure easy, modern, and quality healthcare for the country’s people.
He said the government has already initiated several key measures to decentralise the healthcare sector and bring medical services directly to the doorsteps of the citizens.
The information adviser made these remarks while addressing a press conference at the Press Information Department (PID) conference room at the Secretariat.
Zahed said the government is prioritising the expansion of medical facilities at the district and upazila levels to create a more effective and people-friendly healthcare system. He noted that Intensive Care Unit (ICU) services were recently inaugurated in 10 district hospitals across the country.
These units, equipped with modern medical technology, were established under a project implemented by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare with funding from the World Bank. “We have not only launched ICUs, but also arranged special pediatric ventilators and oxygen concentrators for children in each unit,” he added.
Describing this as a vital step for improved district-level care, the adviser revealed that the government is also working to upgrade upazila hospitals to 101 beds in phases. This initiative aims to ensure that general citizens can receive fast, quality treatment in their own areas without having to rush to the capital or divisional cities.
The adviser emphasised that while the move will reduce the pressure on Dhaka, the primary goal is local accessibility.
“When a poor or lower-middle person comes to Dhaka for treatment, the medical expenses, travel cost, accommodation, and accompanying relatives create additional pressure on him. We want to reduce that suffering,” he said.
Highlighting a new pilot project in Monohardi Upazila of Narsingdi, the adviser explained that trained health workers are now visiting people’s homes to provide primary healthcare and refer patients to specialised centres when necessary. This programme aims to identify diseases at an early stage to prevent them from becoming complex and costly to treat.
Zahed further noted that the national health policy has shifted focus towards preventive healthcare, an approach frequently emphasised by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
“When the state takes responsibility for the healthcare of the people, one of its goals should be to identify the disease as soon as possible,” he remarked.
The adviser also issued a warning against irregularities and mismanagement in the health sector, asserting that the government is taking a strict stance to ensure public trust and institutional accountability.
Ongoing efforts include infrastructure development, increasing manpower, and integrating modern medical technology to ensure every citizen has access to rapid and quality medical services. He expressed hope that these coordinated initiatives would make healthcare more people-oriented, particularly for the country’s marginalised populations.
