PM Raises Alarm Over Energy Sector Destabilization

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said a group is actively working to create planned instability over electricity and fuel issues. He made the remarks at a doctors’ gathering at the LD Hall of the National Parliament on Saturday morning, marking the 37th founding anniversary of the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB). The prime minister said the government is planning to resolve the energy crisis. He said the government inherited a weak state, with a fragile economy and weak systems in administration, education and healthcare.

He also said beneficiaries of fascism remain active in different parts of the state and administration. Poorly planned projects from the past have put the energy sector at risk, and the government is working to fix them. On healthcare, the Prime Minister said the government follows the principle that prevention is better than cure. It plans to recruit 100,000 health workers to raise public awareness about basic healthcare and disease prevention.

He said the government would consider DAB’s demands, including recruiting 5,000 doctors through a special BCS, raising the entry age for doctors to 32–34, increasing the retirement age to 61–65, and introducing a health protection law.

Referring to the second highest budget allocation to the health sector for the first time in the country’s history, he said, “We have to work towards the goal of taking 5 percent of the GDP to the health sector. Apart from this, it has been decided to launch ‘e-health cards’ as soon as possible and upgrade each upazila health complex to a 101-bed hospital.”

The Prime Minister called for joint efforts to build a doctor-friendly Bangladesh where quality healthcare is available to all.