Dhaka, Mar 04 (V7N) — Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has instructed the immediate launch of an ‘e-health’ card program aimed at ensuring accessible medical services for every citizen of the country.

The directive was given at a meeting on Wednesday (March 4) afternoon at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Secretariat Dhaka, attended by the Minister of Health and Family Welfare, State Minister, advisors, and health experts.

According to the Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atiqur Rahman Rumon, the meeting focused on identifying unused or abandoned government buildings and converting them into health centers. Notably, the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) alone has 170 abandoned buildings suitable for renovation.

The Prime Minister emphasized that all abandoned buildings under government and autonomous organizations should be swiftly renovated and developed into clinics and medical centers. He urged the Health Ministry to actively expand medical services to reach the doorsteps of citizens, particularly in remote areas.

Population Growth and Health Workforce Expansion

The meeting also highlighted concerns over the country’s population growth, with about 3.4 million newborns born annually. PM Tarique Rahman directed the Health Ministry to take proactive measures for population control.

In line with election commitments, the meeting discussed large-scale recruitment of health sector manpower, including 100,000 health workers, with 80 percent women and 20 percent men. Officials were instructed to expedite the recruitment of doctors and other vacant health posts.

Focus on Rural Healthcare

Special attention was given to ensuring proper medical treatment in remote areas. The Prime Minister ordered strict supervision to guarantee the regular presence of doctors at health centers and to provide uninterrupted care to citizens living in underserved regions.

Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain, State Minister for Health MA Muhith, and senior government officials attended the meeting.

The ‘e-health’ card initiative is expected to modernize the healthcare system, improve access for citizens nationwide, and strengthen the government’s commitment to public health services.

END/SMA/AJ