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BUDGET-HEALTH-SECTOR
Tk 32,731cr proposed for health sector
DHAKA, June 3, 2021 (BSS) – Giving an utmost priority to the programmes and steps taken by the government to address the COVID-19 pandemic, Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal today proposed an allocation of Taka 32,731 crore for health sector in fiscal year (FY) of 2021-2022.
Mentioning the allocation of Taka 29,464 crore for health sector in FY 2020-21, he said, “We made a large allocation for the implementation of special activities under the Health Services Division to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Besides, we set aside Tk. 10,000 crore to meet the expenses related to unanticipated emergency requirements.”
However, the finance minister said, despite a year has passed since its first outbreak, the COVID-19 pandemic is still ravaging the world. “Therefore, like the budget of the last year, we also make commitment this year that the government will take all necessary measures to address the impact of the pandemic. I would like to propose to allocate Tk. 10,000 crore in the next fiscal year to meet the emergency requirements to respond to the pandemic,” he added.
A number plans have been undertaken to develop the health sector to address the impact of COVID-19, Kamal said adding the implementation of some of these projects has begun in the current fiscal year and will continue in the next financial year.
While placing the budget in next fiscal year, he said different projects are being implemented with the funding of US$ 600 million from the World Bank, US$ 100 million from the Asian Development Bank and US$ 100 million from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
Referring to different projects taken by the government with assistance of development partners, the finance minister said, “The ‘COVID-19 Emergency Response and Pandemic Preparedness’ project, supported by the World Bank and AIIB, is in progress. Purchase of vaccines, installation of oxygen lines, setting up of ICUs/CCUs and other activities are being taken up under the project.”
To enhance the country’s capacity to tackle the pandemic, improve the system of prevention, control and treatment of infectious diseases and strengthen the emergency preparedness capacity, the ‘COVID-19 Response Emergency Assistance’ project is being implemented with support from ADB, he added.
“Purchase of ICU beds, ventilators and PCR machines and expansion of modern microbiology laboratories in 19 institutions and activities are being taken up under the project”
Steps have been taken to enhance capacity of private medical college hospitals, including the Department of Nursing and Midwifery, to deal with the pandemic, Kamal said adding that the process of urgently recruiting necessary manpower and hiring consultants on a contract basis is underway to ensure proper case management including expanding laboratory facilities and enhancing the skills of concerned health workers, doctors, nurses and technologists.
BSS/MMR/MMA/1859HRS