BNP Joint Secretary General Syed Emran Saleh Prince has accused the ruling Awami League of transforming healthcare into a commercial enterprise. He asserted that, under Tarique Rahman's leadership, a BNP government would prioritise health as a valuable asset, aligning with their 31-point agenda.

Prince outlined plans to implement universal health services and introduce health cards, ensuring that no citizen dies due to lack of treatment. He emphasised making healthcare accessible by providing free medical services and essential medicines to all citizens.

He also pledged to reduce medicine prices to reasonable levels, aiming to make essential drugs more affordable for the general population.

Prince delivered these remarks as the chief guest at a gathering during the inauguration of the 'Islamic Model Hospital' in Dhara Bazar, Haluaghat, Mymensingh.

The event was presided over by the hospital's chairman, Dr. Abdus Samad, and attended by various BNP leaders and local dignitaries.

Prince stated that upon forming the government, BNP would allocate 5% of the national GDP to the health sector, aiming to establish universal healthcare for all.

He mentioned plans to gradually introduce health insurance and provide 50 types of essential medicines free of charge to impoverished citizens.

Prince highlighted the importance of developing an effective referral system to enhance healthcare delivery across the country.

He revealed that BNP would encourage private entrepreneurs to build advanced hospitals at district and upazila levels by providing low-interest loans.

Prince emphasised BNP's goal to prevent corruption and irregularities in the health sector, aiming to establish Bangladesh as a healthy and developed nation.

He assured that medical facilities available in the capital would be gradually expanded to divisional, district, and upazila levels, making advanced treatments accessible in rural areas.

Prince highlighted plans to prioritise the training of anesthetists and provide incentives to ensure their placement in upazila health complexes, aiming to make surgical facilities more accessible at the local level.

He projected the need for at least 250,000 new doctors, along with proportional numbers of nurses and technicians, by 2030, and outlined plans to establish effective and quality training systems to achieve this goal.

Prince committed to ensuring that each Union Health Centre is staffed with at least two doctors and equipped with laboratory facilities to provide round-the-clock medical services.

He stated that every doctor would be required to serve at least two years in Union Health and Family Welfare Centres, strengthening community health clinics through their involvement.

Prince proposed establishing monitoring systems comprising health and medical experts, along with prominent citizens from all sectors of society, to ensure the quality of services in both government and private hospitals.

Following his speech, Prince officially inaugurated the hospital by cutting a ribbon and conducted a tour of the new facility.