Khulna: Managing Director of the Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust Muhammad Abdullah today announced a new initiative to introduce a ‘Health Card’ for journalists, aiming to ensure structured and sustainable medical support.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Abdullah highlighted that treatment expenses are a significant challenge for journalists. While financial assistance is currently available for those with critical illnesses, the support lacks regularity and institutionalization. Once assistance is provided, opportunities for prolonged support are limited.
‘To address this gap, we have taken steps to build a permanent healthcare support system. The board has already given policy approval to launch the Health Card for journalists,’ Abdullah stated. He was speaking as the chief guest at a cheque distribution ceremony for financial assistance and educational scholarships for meritorious children of journalists from Khulna and Satkhira regions.
The event was held at the Humayun Kabir Balu Auditorium of Khulna Press Club, supported by the Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust and organized by the Metropolitan Journalists Union, Khulna. Abdullah explained that a comprehensive database of journalists will be developed first. Based on registration, Health Cards will be issued, enabling cardholders to receive medical assistance from the Trust.
The programme is set to begin in Dhaka and will gradually expand to divisional and district levels. At the event, cheques worth around Tk 9 lakh were distributed to journalists from Khulna and Satkhira districts. Abdullah also noted that the scholarship programme for journalists’ meritorious children has been ongoing since 2015, providing significant encouragement, particularly over the past 18 months.