Government Ensuring Free Primary Healthcare for All: Social Welfare Minister
Minister for Women and Children Affairs and Social Welfare Professor Dr. Mr. AZM Zahid Hossain has said the government is working to ensure free primary healthcare for all. He said the government is taking practical steps so that ordinary patients can get quality and modern treatment at divisional and regional levels. No one should have to come to the capital for treatment.
The Minister spoke as chief guest on Friday (November 6) at the 32nd National Conference and Second Outreach Program Bangladesh of the Bangladesh Society of Radiology and Imaging. It was held at the Shaheed Abu Sayeed International Convention Center in the capital.
Dr. Zahid Hossain said Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman has given the highest ever health sector allocation in this year’s budget. He said everyone must make proper use of this budget to improve the whole health system. He also said resources are limited, but a revolutionary change in healthcare is possible if existing resources are used well, with sincerity and skill.
The Minister said the government will provide the needed funds and overall guidance to improve healthcare. He said everyone concerned has a duty to bring quality change to the medical system and serve the people. All must work together so that patients get full treatment for every complex and modern disease inside the country. No one should have to go abroad for treatment.
He also stressed clear career planning to prepare young doctors as future leaders.
Speakers at the conference said liver cirrhosis ranks seventh among the top 10 causes of death in Bangladesh. About 7 million people in the country have hepatitis B, and more than 45 million adults have fatty liver. They said that when the disease turns complex, 40 to 60 percent of patients die within a year. They urged early testing and more awareness.
The speakers also called for avoiding unnecessary CT scans and surgeries. They asked the government to introduce a radiation risk allowance in Bangladesh, as many other countries have done.
Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. Mr. Syed Awsaf Ali presided over the event. Society Secretary General Professor Dr. Mr. Md. Nazrul Islam gave the welcome speech.
The special guests were Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Mr. F M Siddiqui and BNP Health Affairs Secretary Professor Dr. Mr. Md. Rafiqul Islam. Health Services Division Director General Professor Dr. Mr. Provat Chandra Biswas was also present. So were Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) President Professor Dr. Mr. Harun Al Rashid and Secretary General Dr. Mr. Md. Zahirul Islam (Shakil).
Representatives from India, Pakistan, the Netherlands, South Korea and the United States, along with other countries, joined the conference. Expert doctors and researchers from Bangladesh and abroad also took part.
