Jamaat pledges national health insurance, digital health cards in election manifesto
The party's election manifesto also proposes a threefold increase in the health sector budget over successive phases
Key healthcare promises
- Free healthcare for children under 5 and senior citizens above 60
- Improvement of services in existing government hospitals
- Raising the doctor-to-patient ratio and expanding staffing in govt hospitals.
- Establishing full-fledged hospitals in every district
- At least one five-bed dialysis centre, ICU, and CCU in each district sadar hospital
- Strengthening primary healthcare at union and village levels
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has announced plans to launch national health insurance and digital health cards in phases, aiming to ensure healthcare access for all if elected to the 13th National Parliament.
The party's election manifesto also proposes a threefold increase in the health sector budget over successive phases.
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The manifesto, unveiled this evening (4 February), emphasises that "Healthcare is the right of all" and outlines 37 commitments to make healthcare more accessible, affordable, and high-quality across the country.
Digital healthcare and patient-focused services
Jamaat plans to implement telemedicine, an effective referral system, home and palliative care for long-term patients, and priority treatment for women, children, and the elderly. Automation will be introduced for patient registration, admissions, testing, operations, and medicine distribution to reduce hospital inefficiencies.
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The manifesto also promises to provide 300 essential medicines at controlled prices, eventually expanding to 500, and to ensure quality food and service standards in hospitals through regular anonymous inspections.
Governance, transparency, and anti-corruption measures
To promote accountability, the party pledged to publish all government health sector transactions online and strengthen laws to prevent unnecessary tests, irregular prescribing practices, and commission-based medicine trading.
The party pledged that party politics in hospitals will be banned, and both public and private health facilities will be brought under national and international accreditation.
Public health, mental health, and vaccination
The manifesto calls for national strategies to control dengue, chikungunya, and other infectious diseases, action plans for non-communicable diseases, and expanded mental health programs, including addiction and suicide prevention. Mental health services will be phased into schools, colleges, and workplaces.
Jamaat also aims to build Bangladesh's vaccine production capacity to reduce reliance on imports and ensure national self-sufficiency.
Medical tourism and economic impact
The party plans to launch several international-standard model hospitals, creating employment opportunities, boosting medical tourism, and generating foreign exchange.
Additionally, the capacity of Essential Drugs Company Limited (EDCL) will be expanded to ensure sufficient medicine supply, with drug companies prioritized for quality under a grading system.
