Accra:The Health and Family Welfare Minister, Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain, emphasized the government's commitment to prioritizing primary healthcare, ensuring medical services are accessible to people's doorsteps.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Sakhawat Husain made these remarks at a workshop titled "National Health Protection Authority Design and Institutional Framework" held at the International Mother Language Institute. The event was organized by the ministry's Health Services Division.
The minister highlighted a comprehensive plan aimed at advancing the health sector, though he noted that implementation remains a significant challenge. The government intends to focus on specific areas, launching initiatives in phases with initial pilot projects.
Sakhawat Husain underscored the urgent need for implementing the country's health protection law and establishing an operational framework. Efforts to formulate the Health Protection Act include reviewing relevant laws and international experiences.
The minister expressed concern over the financial burden on ordinary citizens for medical treatment due to out-of-pocket expenses and stressed the importance of health insurance. Women's healthcare was also a priority, with a call for measures to protect pregnant women from embarrassment and indignity.
Plans are in place to transform health centres into one-stop service centres, employing AI-based technology for early disease detection, including breast and cervical cancers. This model, successfully implemented in the United States and China, is set to be introduced at all upazilas at a low cost.
Sakhawat Husain urged for collective and dedicated efforts to address irregularities and challenges in the health sector, reaffirming the government's commitment to gradually providing quality healthcare nationwide. Dr Md Enamul Haque, director general of the Health Economics Unit, and other officials attended the workshop.