Dhaka: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed the authorities to expedite the introduction of the ‘e-Health’ card, aiming to enhance medical service accessibility nationwide. This initiative aligns with the government’s dedication to delivering healthcare directly to citizens’ doorsteps.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the directive was issued during a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office, attended by the Health Minister, State Minister, advisers, and health experts. Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon relayed that the Prime Minister tasked the Health Minister with urgently launching the e-Health card.
In addition to healthcare, the meeting addressed the repurposing of abandoned government buildings into health and family welfare centers. Rumon highlighted that there are 170 such buildings under the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) that could be renovated for this purpose. Furthermore, the meeting raised concerns about the annual birth rate of approximately 3.4 million newborns, urging intensified population control measures. The recruitment of 100,000 health workers, predominantly women, was also discussed in alignment with the BNP’s electoral promise.
The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of maintaining a healthcare workforce presence in remote areas, with Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain and other senior officials present at the meeting.
In a separate session, Prime Minister Tarique reviewed the progress of a nationwide tree plantation initiative. The plan involves planting 25 crore trees over five years. The Prime Minister urged for the intensification of this campaign, which involves planting trees on various public lands and ensuring each student plants and cares for at least one tree. This meeting included Forest and Environment Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo and other high-ranking officials.
Prime Minister Tarique also met with Major General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud, Director General of Ansar and VDP, where he commended their service and assured continued support for the force’s development and public service activities.