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Bangladesh provides free primary medi-care to 160 million people: Zahid
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, May 21, 2019 (BSS) – Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque today said Bangladesh provides free primary medi-care to 160 million people.
“Bangladesh provides comprehensive primary health service, free of cost, for its 160 million people. These include free consultation, free health checkup, and free medicine and supply. The primary health care (PHC) network includes over 50,000 salaried Community Health Workers and 14,000 community clinics, one for 6,000 people,” he said.
The minister said this while addressing the 72nd World Health Assembly.
Zahid Maleque at the beginning of his speech conveyed greetings of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, saying, “She strongly believed in freedom, human rights, people’s well-being and health, and wished a great success to this 72nd World Health Assembly.”
“We upgraded all 64 district hospitals with 150 percent increase in beds and modern equipment and set up 42 public sector medical college hospitals and 18 specialized postgraduate institute hospitals,” he said.
Due to the government’s strong commitment for ensuring affordable and quality health service for every citizen, health sector is receiving one of the top annual budget allocations, the minister said, adding that the budget is also used for eliminating diseases like cancer, kidney and cirrhosis.
Bangladesh health minister further said to ensure full range of required healthcare, Bangladesh is modernizing the tertiary healthcare service.
Speaking about Myanmar’s Rakhine population, Zahid Maleque said world’s largest forcibly displaced population now is in Bangladesh.
“With generosity of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and with technical support of you, our partners, we have set an example of addressing their health emergencies,” he said.
Health Minister Zahid Maleque also lauded World Health Organization (WHO) for its contribution and partnership with Bangladesh saying its contribution is crucial to attaining of health-related SDGs and UHC.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Bangladesh Health Service Division Secretary Md Asadul Islam, Director General of Health Services Professor Dr Abul Kalam Azad were present on the occasion, among others.
The eight-day mega event kicked off on May 20 and will continue till May 28. Heads of different member-states and governments along with health ministers and officials concerned are taking part in the assembly.
The World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of WHO. It is attended by delegations from all WHO member-states and focuses on a specific health agenda prepared by the Executive Board.
The main functions of the World Health Assembly are to determine the policies of the Organization, appoint the Director-General, supervise financial policies, and review and approve the proposed programme budget. The Health Assembly is held annually in Geneva, Switzerland.
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