Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday issued a series of directives aimed at revolutionising the country’s healthcare system through digital integration and expanding national reforestation efforts.
During a high-level meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Secretariat, Tarique ordered the introduction of “e-health” cards to ensure comprehensive medical services for the public.
Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atiqur Rahman Rumon briefed the media, stating that Tarique Rahman has instructed the health minister to initiate the “e-health” card programme immediately.
This initiative aligns with the government’s core policy of bringing healthcare directly to the doorsteps of the people.
Healthcare expansion and recruitment
A significant portion of the meeting focused on infrastructure. The prime minister directed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to identify abandoned buildings belonging to various government ministries and agencies to be repurposed as health centres.
It was noted that the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) alone possesses 170 such abandoned buildings.
Addressing demographic challenges, the meeting highlighted that approximately 3.4 million newborns are added to the population annually. Expressing concern over these statistics, Tarique urged the ministry to be more proactive in population control.
In line with the BNP’s electoral pledge, the meeting discussed the recruitment of 100,000 health workers, of whom 80 percent will be women and 20 percent men. Additionally, directives were issued to fill vacant posts for doctors and health workers and to ensure that medical professionals are stationed at health centres in remote areas.
The meeting was attended by Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain, State Minister MA Muhit, and other senior government officials.
Green growth initiatives
Earlier on Wednesday morning, Tarique chaired a meeting of the “Cell for Planting 250 Million Trees in 5 Years” at the Cabinet Division. Reviewing the progress of the five-year plan, the prime minister called for a strengthened nationwide plantation drive.
The plan involves collecting saplings from both government and private nurseries to be planted on Khas land, in char areas, along riverbanks, and on the sides of highways and forests. A unique feature of the programme is that every student will be required to plant and nurture at least one tree.
The session was attended by Environment and Forest Minister Abdul Awal Mintu, State Minister Sheikh Faridul Islam, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani, and the Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar.
In a separate engagement on Wednesday morning, Ansar and VDP Director General Major General Abdul Motaleb Sajjad Mahmud called on the prime minister.
During the meeting, Tarique directed Mahmud to continue the organisation’s public service efforts in the interest of national peace, security, and public welfare.
