Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain today said ensuring primary healthcare for the country's people and providing the highest standard of healthcare services are the government's top priorities.

“The current government is working to improve healthcare services at the upazila level across the country. It is also working effectively to enhance the quality of public healthcare services with the support of various international organisations, development partners and donor agencies,” he said.

Besides, kidney dialysis services will be introduced at upazila level, the minister said.

The health minister made the remarks at a discussion on expanding primary healthcare services in urban areas, held at a Dhaka hotel this morning.

Stressing that no one should die for lack of medical treatment, the minister said the scope of healthcare services is being expanded across the country.

He added that ambulance services would be extended to ensure that patients from all remote and hard-to-reach areas can be transported to advanced healthcare facilities for better treatment.

At the function organised by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the evidence-based outcomes, implementation experiences and lessons learned from the 'Alo Clinic' model were presented. The findings are expected to help guide the government's future initiatives aimed at strengthening primary healthcare services in urban areas.

Presided over by DGHS Director General Dr Pravath Chandra Biswas, the discussion was addressed by Swedish Ambassador Nicolas Weeks and UNICEF deputy country representative Emmanuelle Abrew.