80% of 1 lakh new healthcare workers to be women, says PM
He noted that while it is difficult to match the healthcare infrastructure of developed nations, a strong focus on prevention through community-based awareness could bridge the gap
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today (2 May) announced that his government will recruit 1 lakh healthcare workers to raise public awareness about disease prevention, with a mandate that 80% of the recruits be women.
Speaking at a civic reception at the Sylhet Nagar Bhaban in the afternoon, the prime minister emphasised that female healthcare workers would play a pivotal role in delivering door-to-door nutrition and health guidance across rural Bangladesh.
"We will appoint 1 lakh health workers, 80% of whom will be women. These workers will visit homes in every village to raise awareness regarding health and nutrition, informing the public about the dietary habits that lead to specific diseases," the prime minister said.
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He noted that while it is difficult to match the healthcare infrastructure of developed nations, a strong focus on prevention through community-based awareness could bridge the gap.
The announcement came during Tarique Rahman's first official visit to Sylhet since assuming office.
Earlier in the day, he inaugurated a mega project at Chandni Ghat aimed at mitigating flood risks and waterlogging in the city.
He also laid the foundation stone for the development and beautification of both banks of the Surma River, promising that the implementation of these projects would permanently resolve Sylhet's chronic waterlogging issues.
Regarding the waterlogging problem in the city, he said, "While coming from the airport, I saw that water had accumulated due to rain. Many farmers in Sunamganj have been affected due to rain. Besides, the groundwater level is going down in all the cities. This is gradually leading to a terrible situation. For this, we have taken up a canal excavation programme. In this way, we will be able to use rainwater and waterlogging will also be resolved."
On economic and infrastructure matters, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman shared plans to revive closed factories -- potentially through the private sector if need be -- to boost employment and attract foreign investment.
He also pledged to reactivate the stagnant IT Park in Sylhet and upgrade vocational training centres to benefit the youth.
Regarding connectivity, he confirmed that 11 land acquisition bottlenecks for the Dhaka-Sylhet highway expansion have been resolved and announced plans to convert the Dhaka-Sylhet railway into a double-line track to reduce dependence on road transport.
The prime minister arrived at Osmani International Airport in the morning with his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, and offered prayers at the shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal (R) before beginning his day-long engagements.
The civic reception was attended by several senior cabinet members, including Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir and Expatriates' Welfare Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury.
