Sylhet, Nov 07 (V7N) – Commerce, Industries and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir MP has said the government has increased allocation for the health sector and plans to implement several major healthcare development projects in Sylhet.

“Health is one of the top priorities of the present government. The prime minister has set a target of investing 5 per cent of GDP each in the health and education sectors,” he said.

The minister was speaking as the chief guest at a programme marking the 12th founding anniversary of Sylhet Central Dental College at Windsor Hotel in Sylhet city on Friday.

He said Tk 69,400 crore had been allocated to the health sector in the current fiscal year, nearly double the revised allocation of the previous fiscal year. For the first time in many years, the allocation for health had exceeded 1 per cent of GDP, he added.

Muktadir said Prime Minister was placing special emphasis on preventive healthcare so that necessary measures could be taken before diseases develop.

Referring to healthcare development in Sylhet, the minister said the region had not received the expected level of development over the past 18 to 20 years. The current government was giving special attention to improving its health infrastructure.

He said the tender process for appointing a consultant for the Sylhet Medical University project had already been completed, and the appointment could be finalised by January. Implementation work would begin after that.

A 1,200-bed general hospital would be established alongside the university, while approval had also been granted for a 250-bed specialised hospital under the institution, he said.

The minister said the government also planned to establish a 200-bed specialised children's hospital in Sylhet. Similar projects had already been undertaken in several divisional cities, and Sylhet would be included in the initiative in the coming days.

He added that steps would be taken to expedite completion of the unfinished cancer hospital at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital. Once the work was completed, the hospital's bed capacity would increase by around 400 to 450 beds.

The government was also working to increase allocations for service-oriented institutions run through private initiatives, including Sylhet Diabetic Hospital and Kidney Hospital, he said.

Muktadir expressed hope that Sylhet could be developed into an international-standard dental treatment hub. He said affordable, quality and reliable dental services could attract patients from both Bangladesh and abroad.

Citing Turkey's success in attracting international patients for hair transplants, he said Sylhet could similarly develop advanced dental services. The initiative would particularly aim to encourage expatriate Bangladeshis living in North America, Europe, Australia, Canada and other regions to return home for dental treatment.

Highlighting women's progress in dental education, he said 34 of the 35 students admitted to the latest academic session at Sylhet Central Dental Medical College were women. He described the trend as encouraging and praised the institution's 12-year journey, expressing confidence that experienced teachers and efficient management would help it advance further. He also pledged support for the college's development.

Speaking to journalists after the programme, the minister said improved direct connectivity between Bangladesh and China under a proposed China-Bangladesh corridor could create new opportunities to expand trade between the two countries as well as with Myanmar.

If an advanced transport network could be established, a truck would be able to travel from Chattogram to Chinese territory in just 24 hours, he said. Increased trade would also strengthen relations among the countries concerned.

Asked about a new wage structure, Muktadir said a board had been formed to determine workers' new wages and had been instructed to complete its work quickly so that the revised rates could come into effect from January.

He also stressed the importance of maintaining a stable environment for business, trade and exports, saying investment and commerce could not thrive amid uncertainty.

“Everyone must play a responsible role in maintaining stability in the national interest. If anyone tries to create unrest with ulterior motives, the relevant law enforcement agencies will look into the matter,” he said.

The programme was chaired by Rezaul Hasan Koyes Lodi, managing director of Al Amin Associates and chairman of the Sylhet Development Authority.

Special guests included Sylhet Central Dental Medical College Principal Professor Dr Parimal Chandra Mallick, Sylhet Medical University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Ziaur Rahman Chowdhury, Doctors Association of Bangladesh President Professor Dr Harun Al Rashid, and its Secretary-General Professor Dr Md Zahirul Islam Shakil.

Officials from various government departments, teachers of the dental college, current and former students, and journalists were also present.

END/RIM/SMA/