ZCZC
BSS-18
PM-HEALTH-BURN 2 LAST DHAKA
Sheikh Hasina said her government had opened the burn and trauma unit in the DMCH in 2000. But the subsequent BNP-Jamaat administration did nothing for making it operational.
After coming to power in 2009 for the second time, the prime minister said, the unit was made functional by appointing necessary manpower and procuring modern equipment.
Sheikh Hasina thanked Bangladesh Army for constructing the burn and plastic surgery institute at a quick pace. Bangladesh Army always provides services to the people with the utmost dedication, she said.
The prime minister said she has a plan to procure modern equipment for the burn unit so that no patient with burn injury needs to go abroad. Nurses will also be given necessary training at home and abroad on this specialized medicare services, she said.
“However, we will be able to do this quickly, if the people elect us again to the office, otherwise it may come to a stop,” she said, urging all to look into the matter.
Sheikh Hasina said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman constructed the hospital for treatment of the injured freedom fighters along with a burn unit soon after independence.
In the constitution, Bangabandhu incorporated the healthcare as one of the basic rights of the people. Bangabandhu started constructing a 10-bed hospital in every union. But he could not complete his task as he was brutally killed.
Sheikh Hasina said her government after taking office in 1996 had taken initiatives to reach the healthcare services to the doorsteps of the people. Community clinics were set up in the villages. But, the BNP-Jamaat alliance government had stopped the operations of the clinics.
The prime minister said her government has increased the number of beds in all public hospitals, established first medical university in the country and constructed the second unit of the Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Considering the lower number of doctors and nurses compared to the number of patients, the prime minister said her government has already recruited doctors and nurses.
Dhaka City has been divided in four zones and steps are being taken to reach healthcare serves to all zones, she added.
Sheikh Hasina said in the last 10 years, extensive development works have been carried-out in this sector to reach healthcare services to the doorsteps of the commoners. System has been introduced to refer patients to the hospital for ensuring better treatment.
The prime minister said her government has established 19 new government medical colleges in the last 10 years. Two new medical universities are being set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong, she added.
Sheikh Hasina said the number of beds in the National Institute of Traumatology and Rehabilitation (NITOR) has been increased to one thousand. This hospital is now the largest orthopedic hospital in Asia, which is waiting for inaugurated soon.
Pointing out the steps taken for digitalization of the healthcare services, the prime minister said toll-free hot line number 16263 has been introduced with launching tele-medicine services in different hospitals.
BSS/AKH/GA/1630 hrs