The minister says the health system will be decentralised so that people from Chattogram and other districts no longer have to travel to Dhaka for treatment.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain visits the newly constructed second unit of the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital in Dhaka today. Photo: PID
“>
Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain visits the newly constructed second unit of the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital in Dhaka today. Photo: PID
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to inaugurate the second unit of the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital (NIN&H) on 15 August, Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain said today (5 July).
The prime minister will inaugurate the hospital’s new 500-bed unit, he said while addressing a preparatory meeting at the institute in the capital ahead of the inauguration.
“I believe that once the prime minister visits the hospital, he will take the necessary initiatives for its further development,” Sakhawat said.
Referring to the government’s election manifesto, he said the healthcare system would be decentralised to ensure quality medical services across the country.
“Our healthcare services will be built in line with the election manifesto. The health system will be decentralised so that people from Chattogram or other districts will not have to come to Dhaka for treatment. We want to take healthcare to the doorsteps of rural people and seek everyone’s cooperation in achieving this goal,” he added.
The minister said the prime minister would provide policy direction while all stakeholders would work together to implement the government’s plans successfully.
Highlighting the government’s preparations to tackle dengue, Sakhawat said coordinated measures had been underway for the past two months.
He also said coordination committees comprising deputy commissioners, civil surgeons, hospital superintendents, city corporation administrators, and other relevant officials had been formed in every district.
Cleanliness drives are continuing across the country, while mosquito larvicide tablets have been distributed and spraying is being carried out to eliminate adult mosquitoes, he added.
The minister further said the dengue situation this year is better than last year’s, adding that the government has prepared an integrated response plan, ensured adequate saline stocks, kept mobile hospitals ready, and arranged training for physicians.
He said mobile hospitals had been kept ready for dengue patients, while sufficient saline had been stockpiled to prevent shortages and reduce the risk of severe complications during treatment.
Speaking at the meeting, State Minister for Health Dr MA Muhit said the government was giving the highest priority to the health sector and stressed the need to decentralise healthcare services to ensure equal access for all.
He said the government planned to establish neuroscience institutes in at least four of the country’s older divisional cities and that the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital would play a key role in producing the specialist physicians needed to run those institutions.
