Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today instructed authorities to introduce an “e-Health Card” system to ensure medical services for citizens across the country.
He gave the directive during a meeting with the health minister, state minister, advisers, and health experts at the Prime Minister’s Office at noon.
Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman said the prime minister asked the health ministry to begin work on launching the e-Health Card to bring healthcare services closer to the public.
“The government’s policy is to ensure health services reach people’s doorsteps,” he said, adding that the prime minister urged the ministry to take a more active role in implementing that goal.
During the meeting, participants discussed identifying abandoned government buildings and converting them into healthcare centres under the Health and Family Welfare Ministry. Around 170 abandoned buildings under the LGRD have already been identified.
The prime minister directed authorities to convert such unused buildings into clinics and healthcare facilities to expand service coverage.
Population growth also came up during the meeting. Around 34 lakh newborn babies are born in the country each year, according to statistics discussed.
The meeting discussed steps to strengthen population control efforts and asked the ministry to take a more proactive role.
Officials also discussed plans to recruit one lakh health workers in line with BNP’s election pledge, with 80 percent being women and 20 percent men. Filling vacant posts for doctors and health workers was also discussed.
The prime minister urged authorities to ensure doctors are posted and remain active in health centres in remote and underserved areas.
Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain, State Minister MA Muhit, and senior government officials attended.
PM stresses tree plantation progress
Earlier in the morning, the prime minister chaired a meeting at the Cabinet Division conference room to review progress of the programme to plant 25 crore trees over five years.
Forest and Environment Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo, State Minister Sheikh Faridul Islam, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani, Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, and other senior officials attended.
