Dhaka:The government has unveiled an extensive plan to rebuild the country's healthcare system. This initiative involves upgrading upazila hospitals, expanding primary healthcare at the grassroots level, recruiting a large health workforce, modernizing diagnostic facilities, and decentralizing cancer treatment.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the government has allocated a record Tk 69,409 crore to the health sector in the current fiscal year, constituting 7.4 percent of the total national budget. This allocation is part of the efforts to overhaul the healthcare sector.
The comprehensive plan includes a proposed Tk 44,757.385 crore project to progressively upgrade upazila health complexes and enhance specialized and emergency services. The project, set for implementation from December 2026 to December 2029, aims to reduce pressure on district and divisional hospitals. Furthermore, the government intends to transform health complexes in all 503 upazilas into fully equipped 151-bed hospitals.
Additionally, a Tk 11,993.2582 crore project has been proposed to establish 14,634 primary healthcare hubs and 1,631 primary healthcare centers at union and ward levels. This project includes rebuilding, repairing, or constructing new facilities and is planned for implementation from December 2026 to December 2029.
In response to the shortage of healthcare professionals, the government plans extensive recruitment, including 5,000 doctors through the Bangladesh Public Service Commission, 2,500 nurses, and 25,000 midwives over the next five years. There is also a plan to recruit 100,000 additional health workers to enhance healthcare services at union and ward levels.
The government is also decentralizing cancer treatment by establishing comprehensive cancer treatment facilities in all eight administrative divisions within the next two to three years. This includes establishing five Institutes of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS) and procuring 17 linear accelerators to expand cancer treatment capacity nationwide.
A Health Management Institute is being established in Savar to provide specialized training in health management to civil surgeons and upazila health and family planning officers. Additionally, the government plans a Tk 16,000 crore tender for a program to improve healthcare infrastructure and services, focusing on acquiring essential diagnostic equipment.