Smart Bangladesh, Universal Healthcare System: PM Hasina announces AL manifesto

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also the AL president, has announced the Awami League's (AL) election manifesto with the slogan "Smart Bangladesh", prioritising building a modern, technology-oriented Smart Bangladesh, alongside the pledge to modernise the healthcare sector with a Universal Health System, among other promises. 

She also prioritised efforts to balance import and export trade to reduce uncertainty in the supply of foreign exchange during her speech at the AL manifesto announcement program today (27 December) at Sonargaon Hotel in the capital. 

"In the 2008 election manifesto, we announced Vision 2021, which was a charter of change. We successfully ran the country after overcoming hundreds of hurdles by winning the 2014 and 2018 National Parliament elections," Hasina said. 

"Import and export trade will be balanced, reducing uncertainty in the supply of foreign exchange. Laws will be strictly enforced to recover defaulted loans. It will be ensured that the bank will maintain the prescribed provision for defaulted loans," she said.

Read full election manifesto here

Hasina said policy interest rates would be the main means and instruments for controlling the money supply and inflation, and credit provision for self-employment of employable trained youth will be extended. 

"Technological capabilities are essential to survive global competition in the fourth industrial revolution era. That is why we announced the building of 'Smart Bangladesh.' Smart Bangladesh has four pillars – Smart Citizens, Smart Government, Smart Economy, and Smart Society," she said, adding that the AL government has worked in every field to establish Smart Bangladesh. 

"If elected by the people's vote, we will make Bangladesh a hunger-poverty-free smart country by 2041," she added. 

"In continuation of Vision-2021, basic health, and family welfare services will be enhanced and expanded under the programs of Vision 2041. Primary health care and medicine distribution free of cost will be continued through community clinics," she said while talking about health care and family welfare, 

To ensure digital healthcare, a unique health ID will be provided to every person in the country and hospital automation management will be introduced, Hasina said a universal health system will be established to ensure equal health care for all citizens.

"A super-specialized hospital of international standards has been set up in Dhaka. Special grants have been allocated to health science research. Health Insurance will be introduced, and Centers for Noncommunicable Disease Treatment and Rehabilitation of Senior Citizens will be set up under the Healthy Aging Scheme," she said.

The prime minister also said the country's API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient) industry will be encouraged, the use of antibiotics will be controlled and mental health and autism healthcare facilities at all levels will be made more effective.

At the beginning of the speech, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina talked about how Bangladesh changed in the last 15 years with AL in power. 

"Bangladesh has been transformed in the last 15 years. Today's Bangladesh is by no means poverty-stricken or economically fragile. I can unequivocally say that today's Bangladesh is now a 'Changed Bangladesh'. Bangladesh is now a fast-paced country moving forward with its potential," she added.

"Minor setbacks cannot hinder our economic progress today. We have left that proof by facing various challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic," the PM said, mentioning the United Nations recognising Bangladesh as a developing country when we celebrated the country's Golden Jubilee of Independence in 2021.

"As a continuation of the past, this time, we have prepared an implementable election manifesto by setting specific targets. The continuity of the long-term action plans announced in the 2008, 2014, and 2018 election manifestos has also been maintained in the twelfth election manifesto," she said.

Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque earlier inaugurated the election manifesto announcement program.

Speaking at the event, AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader said Sheikh Hasina is an inspirational leader who is focused on the future generation.

"Winston Churchill once said, 'A politician thinks of the next election; a statesman, of the next generation,'" quoted Obaidul Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister.

"For Sheikh Hasina, elections are an integral part of the democratic process. It will be there while she is fighting to save the soul of the country. Bangladesh is in her heart, in her mind."

Insisting on AL's commitment to perfecting democracy, Quader asserted, "We are not afraid about the outcome of the election." 

"Despite recurrent arson attacks and violence, we remain resolute. Under Sheikh Hasina's leadership, we will overcome these conspiracies and terrorism, preserving the honour of the red-green flag and securing victory, InShaa'Allah," he added.

According to AL sources, the party will prioritise 11 issues in its manifesto, including efforts to maintain commodity prices. 

Employable education and employment for the youth, a modern technology-dependent Smart Bangladesh, an integrated agricultural system, and affordable healthcare for low-income people are some of the key areas focused on the election manifesto. 

The AL election manifesto will also discuss increasing efficiency and capability in the financial sector, including banks and expanding the industry by increasing visible infrastructure.

AL will also focus on involving everyone in the universal pension, ensuring effectiveness, accountability of law enforcement agencies, and prevention of communalism, terrorism, and militancy in its election manifesto, sources said.

In addition, the AL will also emphasise ensuring fundamental rights for third-gender individuals. 

The manifesto includes issues for implementing the Prime Minister's goals of transforming Bangladesh into a developed nation by the year 2041.

In its 2008 election manifesto, AL's slogan was "The Charter of Change." 

In 2014, it was "Bangladesh is Moving Forward." In 2018, the party's slogan was "Road to Prosperity."