Autocratic regime wrecked the health sector to force people to seek treatment in one particular country: Prime Minister
Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman has told Parliament that the country’s health sector was wrecked on purpose during the past one and a half decades of autocratic rule. He said the aim was to force people to go to one particular country for treatment. He also announced a government plan to build six dedicated 100 bed hospitals in the six main industrial zones to ensure good treatment for working people.
The Prime Minister said this on Monday (9 November) during the question and answer session of Parliament. He said that during more than a decade of harsh autocratic rule, the people saw how the energy sector was made dependent on other countries. The country’s mineral resources were not used for the public good, and everything was made dependent on imports. He added that planned policies even blocked the natural growth of local industry.
Describing the same pattern in the health sector, the Prime Minister said the autocratic regime destroyed the health system bit by bit. He said the rural health service structure built under past democratic governments was wrecked during the autocratic period. The sector was ruined in a way that left people no choice but to go to one particular country for treatment. He also noted that the Leader of the Opposition had recently raised concern about the health system in Parliament.
The Prime Minister said the present government, elected by the votes of the people, is working for the welfare of every class and profession. He then shared a new plan for workers’ health care. He told Parliament that the government has taken an initial step to build six specialised hospitals with 100 beds each in the six main industrial zones for the better treatment of working people.
Naming the zones, the Prime Minister said the hospitals will first be built in Tongi, Ashulia, Kaliakair, Narayanganj, Savar and Chattogram. These hospitals will serve only workers, and their buildings and names will reflect that purpose.
