Prime Minister’s Information Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman today spoke at a press conference at the conference room of the Press Information Department (PID) at the Secretariat. Photo: PID
Prime Minister's Information Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman today said the government is working relentlessly to ensure easy, modern and quality healthcare for the country's people. He said the government has already started implementing several important initiatives to decentralise healthcare sector and bring medical services at the doorsteps of the people. He made the remarks while speaking at a press conference at the conference room of the Press Information Department (PID) at the Secretariat here.
Zahed Ur Rahman said the government is giving special importance to expanding medical facilities at the district and upazila levels to make the country's healthcare system more effective and people-friendly. He said Intensive Care Unit (ICU) services have recently been inaugurated in 10 district hospitals of the country. Under a project, implemented by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and funded by the World Bank, modern medical equipment has been installed in hospitals, he added.
"We have not only launched ICUs, but also arranged special pediatric ventilators and oxygen concentrators for children in each unit," the information adviser said. "This is an important step in ensuring improved healthcare services at the district level," he added. The adviser said the government is considering the decentralisation of healthcare sector with great importance. Initiatives have already been taken to upgrade the upazila hospitals to 101 beds in phases, Zahed Ur Rahman said. As a result, he said, the general people will not have to rush to the capital or divisional cities for treatment.
"Many people think that this initiative is being taken to reduce the pressure on Dhaka. It is not just that. The main goal is for a common citizen to get fast and quality medical services in his own area," he said. He said 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. Zahed Ur Rahman also said in the medical field, quick decisions and immediate treatment are very important to save lives, so ensuring improved healthcare at the local level is one of the government's priorities.
At the press conference, he also highlighted a new pilot project aimed at bringing healthcare to people's doorsteps. He said this programme was recently inaugurated in Monohardi Upazila of Narsingdi. Under this project, trained health workers will directly visit people's homes to provide primary healthcare, he said. After assessing the patient's physical condition, he/she will be referred to the concerned hospital or specialised health center if necessary, the information adviser said.
"This is a very important initiative. Many people in our society do not give importance to the early signs of the disease," he said. "As a result, the disease becomes complex. Then the medical expenses increase, the patient's suffering increases and additional pressure is created on the overall health system. We want to identify the disease at the initial stage and take necessary measures," Zahed Ur Rahman said. He said the government's health policy is now not limited to treating the disease only; rather, equal importance is being given to preventive healthcare.
The adviser said the government is working to build a healthy population by increasing awareness among the people, identifying the disease at the initial stage and ensuring prompt treatment. He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has spoken about the importance of preventive healthcare on several occasions. 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 and ensure necessary treatment, Zahed Ur Rahman said. "We are working towards that goal.
He said the government is taking a strict stance against irregularities and mismanagement in the health sector. The adviser said necessary measures are being taken to ensure public trust and security and the institutions concerned are being held accountable for improving the quality of healthcare. He said the government is also working on infrastructure development, increasing manpower, adding modern medical technology and expanding the scope of services at the local level so that every citizen of the country can get easy, fast and quality medical services.
Zahed Ur Rahman hoped that through the ongoing initiatives of the government, healthcare will become more people-oriented and the marginalised people of the country will also get access to better healthcare. He said all the institutions concerned are working in a coordinated manner to implement the goal set by the government of delivering healthcare at the doorsteps of the people.
