Kasba:Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain today criticized the previous 'fascist' government, accusing it of destroying the country's health sector through corruption and plundering.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the minister made these remarks while addressing the inaugural ceremony of a mobile healthcare clinic at Kasba upazila, where he served as the chief guest. The event was organized by the Rahman Foundation and Shakti, and inaugurated by Mushfiqur Rahman, chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Finance and local lawmaker.
Sakhawat highlighted that the health sector had been turned into a hub of corruption under the previous administration, resulting in medical equipment worth crores of taka remaining unused. He noted that 60 to 70 percent of tenders for medical and surgical requisites at the upazila level were plagued by plundering, with additional irregularities in various district-level tenders.
The minister emphasized the current government's commitment to improving the health sector, aligning with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's zero-tolerance policy against corruption. Plans are underway to initiate tendering processes for projects valued at approximately Tk 16,000 crore, aiming for completion within two years.
Further, Sakhawat announced efforts to establish specialized treatment centers for cancer, kidney, and heart diseases in all eight divisions of the country, with five children's hospitals set to open in the next two months. Additionally, around 1,150 dialysis machines are in the process of being supplied.
He concluded by stating that the government aims to implement fundamental changes in the health sector to create a system where citizens will not need to travel abroad for advanced medical treatment, while ensuring that development initiatives focus on the needs of the people and prevent the waste of public funds.