Govt to announce highest-ever health budget: Muhit

State Minister for Health Dr MA Muhith has said that the government is set to allocate the highest budget in Bangladesh’s history for the health sector in the upcoming national budget, reflecting Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s commitment to improving healthcare services.

Speaking as a special guest at a discussion marking the 45th death anniversary of Ziaur Rahman at the National Press Club on Wednesday, Muhith said the BNP-led government considers healthcare a top priority.

He noted that the government plans to introduce a nationwide digital health system through e-health cards, allowing patients’ medical records, prescriptions, and test results to be stored electronically.

According to him, the initiative will help reduce unnecessary medical tests and medication prescriptions.

The state minister also announced plans to upgrade hospitals in every upazila to at least 101 beds, ensuring more equitable healthcare access across the country. He emphasised that alongside infrastructure development, increasing manpower remains crucial.

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To strengthen healthcare services at the grassroots level, the government intends to recruit 100,000 new health workers, including 80,000 women.

Muhith added that preparations are underway for a large-scale recruitment of doctors to address workforce shortages, while efforts will also be made to improve the doctor-to-nurse ratio in line with international standards.

The discussion was attended by Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain as chief guest. Other attendees included former secretary general of the Doctors Association of Bangladesh Dr Md Abdus Salam. The event was chaired by acting DAB President Prof Dr Md Abul Kenan and supervised by the organisation’s Secretary General Dr Md Zahirul Islam Shakil.