Ecnec approves Tk1,157cr urban project to expand primary healthcare services

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) has approved a project titled "Expanding Access to Integrated Health Care for the Urban Population" to ensure accessible and quality primary healthcare services in urban areas, with a total estimated cost of Tk1,157.0653 crore.

The approval came during an Ecnec meeting at the Secretariat today (26 April), chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

According to Planning Commission sources, primary healthcare and nutrition service centres will be connected through a hub-and-spoke model in urban areas under the project.

As part of the initiative, a total of 170 city health centres will be established in Dhaka North, Dhaka South and Chattogram City corporations.

Necessary manpower will be recruited to ensure healthcare services in two shifts at these centres, the sources said.

The project also aims to ensure at least 80% availability of essential medicines, full compliance with water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) standards and medical waste management, and 100% integration into the digital health information system DHIS-2 platform.

According to commission sources, of the total project cost, Tk208.4002 crore will come from government funds, while Tk948.6651 crore will be provided as foreign loan assistance from the World Bank.

The project is proposed to be implemented by 30 June 2028.

The Health Services Division under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will implement the project, with the Directorate General of Health Services acting as the executing agency.

The project background notes that rapid urbanisation has placed significant pressure on healthcare services in cities. Currently, more than 40% of the country's population lives in urban areas, a figure expected to rise further by 2030.

However, government primary healthcare infrastructure in urban areas remains limited, forcing people to rely on private services at higher costs.

The project will include mapping of existing healthcare facilities, development of manpower and infrastructure, strengthening monitoring, and capacity building for healthcare workers.

Officials believe it will help ensure affordable and quality healthcare services for urban residents.

At the meeting, Ecnec approved 14 development projects involving a total cost of Tk13,445.41 crore. Of this, Tk8,089.56 crore will come from government funds, Tk5,340.26 crore from foreign project loans, and Tk15.59 crore from respective organisations' own financing.

Among the approved projects, five are new, five are revised, and four involve extension of tenure.

Other approved initiatives include a customs modernisation project under the finance ministry, a peste des petits ruminants eradication (PPR – a sheep/goat virus) and foot-and-mouth disease control project under the fisheries and livestock ministry, and four projects under the Local Government Division focusing on infrastructure development, water supply and city corporation services.

Five projects under the railway ministry, road transport and bridges ministry were also approved, including climate-resilient bridge construction, border road development and multiple highway development projects in the Barishal region.

A decision has been taken to form a probe committee to examine repeated time extensions in some of these projects.

Additionally, two projects under the railway ministry have been approved, including railway maintenance and the construction of a new broad-gauge line.

The meeting was also informed about 33 projects, each costing below Tk50 crore, previously approved by the planning minister. These projects cover sectors such as road development, river dredging, agricultural research, IT infrastructure and power distribution.

Officials believe the approved projects will accelerate infrastructure development, expansion of healthcare services, and progress in the agriculture and technology sectors.

LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam and other members of the committee were present at the meeting.

Senior officials from the ministries concerned were also present at the meeting.