PM Directs Pilot Project for National E-Health Platform
The government is planning to introduce a National E-Health Platform to bring the country’s healthcare system under an integrated digital framework. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed that the platform initially be launched through a pilot project in several districts. The issue was discussed at a meeting on an integrated information technology system for the health sector held at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon on Saturday (August 22). Prime Minister Tarique Rahman chaired the meeting. Deputy Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Hasan Shiplu said the meeting discussed the proposed structure of the National E-Health Platform, its operational mechanism and its potential applications in healthcare. Initially, the platform will be implemented as a pilot project in several districts to assess its effectiveness, potential challenges, costs and feasibility. Based on an evaluation of the pilot project’s experience and outcomes, the government plans to gradually expand its coverage.
At the meeting, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman directed officials to ensure the effective use of information technology in healthcare. He said the integrated system should be developed in a way that allows ordinary people to easily benefit from it and makes the process of accessing medical services more convenient. The Prime Minister stressed the importance of securely storing patients’ essential health information and ensuring that authorized doctors and healthcare institutions can access the information easily when necessary. He also emphasized that information security and personal privacy must be ensured while developing the platform. At the same time, the system should be user-friendly, cost-effective and sustainable in the long term, he said. The Prime Minister directed the authorities to properly evaluate the results of the pilot project before taking further steps to expand the initiative. Senior officials from the relevant departments and agencies were present at the meeting.
