Health sector to get 5% of GDP in phases: PM
Plan includes recruitment, insurance and preventive care expansion
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said 5% of GDP will be allocated to the health sector in phases to make healthcare accessible for every person.
In a message on the eve of World Health Day 2026, he also said preventive healthcare activities will be expanded along with quality medical services, including comprehensive maternal and child healthcare in both urban and rural areas.
He said 100,000 healthcare workers will be recruited in phases, and 80% of them will be women.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The premier said his government plans to introduce e-health cards for every citizen and ensure rapid and quality treatment for chronic and multifactorial diseases through public-private partnership (PPP) initiatives.
The government will implement necessary reforms to improve service quality and keep treatment costs affordable, introduce and gradually expand health insurance, strengthen medical education and research, and enact fair laws for both service providers and recipients, he said.
"To achieve these goals, 5% of GDP will be allocated to the health sector in phases," he said.
Tarique Rahman said with a commitment to building a healthy and safe world for future generations, World Health Day 2026 will be observed today in Bangladesh, as elsewhere in the world, with the theme "Together for Health, Stand with Science".
He said human beings, animals, and the environment – these three components are closely interconnected, as the safety and well-being of one is dependent on the others.
Therefore, protection of all forms of life is a demand of the time, he said, adding that this is the concept of "One Health", which emphasises not only human well-being but also the health of surrounding living beings and the environment.
To achieve this goal, it is essential to ensure research and use of sustainable technologies by integrating medical science, agricultural science, veterinary science, and environmental science, he said.
The prime minister said the rapid advancement of science worldwide has created unprecedented opportunities and possibilities in healthcare. Particularly in Bangladesh, there is no alternative to the use of technology to ensure sustainable, quality, and equitable healthcare services for marginalised people, he said.
The premier said innovations, applications, and expansion of technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) must be encouraged to ensure fast and accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
Tarique Rahman said his government believes that "Prevention is better than Cure".
Based on that principle of "Health for All", the government is committed to ensuring accessible and affordable healthcare services for everyone within the existing system of a developed welfare-oriented state, he said.
"Healthcare is not a privilege; it is a fundamental human right," he said, urging all to fulfil their responsibilities with honesty, dedication, and sincerity to help build a healthy and strong nation.
He also extended sincere greetings and congratulations to everybody in the health sector and wished success for all programmes of the day.
