ZCZC
BSS-15
PM-DOCTORS 2 LAST DHAKA
The prime minister advised medical students to take optimum advantage of
countrywide Internet services saying “it would be fruitful for the medical
students if they follow classes and lectures of the reputed colleges and
universities across the globe through internet”.
Sheikh Hasina suggested opening up scopes for foreign doctors to be in
Bangladesh as teachers so the country’s medical students and doctors could
gather experiences through academic interactions.
“The people of the country would not need to go abroad if the foreign
specialist doctors come to Bangladesh . . . they could get foreign treatment
here,” she said.
The premier said the government was sensitive about the government
doctors’ accommodation problems in grassroots but “I already directed the
housing and public works ministry to build multistoried building in upazilas
to solve housing problems of the government staff including physicians”.
The premier laid emphasis on creating a trust fund for the community
clinics so none could halt its activities again like what the BNP-Jamaat
government did in the past.
“The BNP-Jamaat government took a suicidal step by closing the clinics and
if they come to power, they will shut down it again,” she said.
She also put emphasis on introducing river ambulance services in island
and haor regions and asked the health ministry to create a fund to this end
during formulation of annual budget of the ministry.
The premier, however, noted that compared to other areas of specialty the
number of gastroenterologists was less than the demand as the country has
only little number of physicians in this field.
She also sought doctors’ active participation in making people aware about
the proper system consuming medicines like the dangers of feeding children
de-worming tablets in empty stomach.
Sheikh Hasina said the doctors could play a crucial role in creating civic
sense and awareness about cleanliness asking all to drop wastes at dust bins
instead of throwing them here and there.
Spelling out her government’s various successes in health sector, the
premier said the aim of the government is to reach healthcare services to the
people’s doorsteps.
Later, Sheikh Hasina formally handed over dummy keys of seven ambulances
to authorities concerned of the Bandaran Sadar Hospital, Upazila Health
Complexes of Tungipara in Gopalganj, Rajibpir under Kurigram district,
Fultala of Khulna, Kendua of Netrakona, Kaliakoir under Gazipur district and
the National Institution of Cardiovascular Diseases in Dhaka.
Officials said 60 ambulances of Japan’s Toyota brand were procured at a
cost of Tk 41 lakh each to be handed over this month, while 38 more such
ambulances would be handed over next month.
The ambulances were procured from revenue budget of the Health Services
Division of the Health and Family Welfare to further improve the health
services.
BSS/SH/AR/1510 HRS