Tarique urges doctors to support BNP’s 31-point plan

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has called on doctors across the country to cooperate in implementing the party's 31-point plan, which includes healthcare reforms alongside broader political and economic changes.

Speaking as the chief guest at the national conference of the Doctors' Association of Bangladesh (DAB) in Dhaka's Kakrail this afternoon (9 August), Tarique Rahman said the health-related proposals in the plan could not be implemented by the government or political leaders alone.

"I have one request for you. Your cooperation is needed to implement the demand related to the health sector in the 31-point plan," he told doctors nationwide.

"It is not possible to implement the 31-point demands or the one related to healthcare solely by the government, party members of parliament, or leaders. Everyone's cooperation is needed. This country belongs to all of us. To build it, everyone must work."

BNP proposed the 31-point agenda in February, outlining structural reforms, institutionalising the state system, promoting economic liberalisation, and ensuring public accountability.

The healthcare section includes short-term (1–3 years), medium-term (1–5 years), and long-term strategies for the sector.

At the conference, Tarique Rahman said a "new hope" had been awakened among the people of Bangladesh.

"In July and August (2024) alone, 1,500 people were martyred. Over the last 15 years, thousands have been forcibly disappeared and killed. They have been injured and tortured. If we are able to fulfil their hopes together, we can build the Bangladesh we aspire to. For this, every person has to contribute, even if it is a small amount," he said.

He added that BNP founder Ziaur Rahman introduced multiparty democracy in the country, while Khaleda Zia brought Bangladesh into the process of parliamentary democracy.

"We must follow the path that our leaders have shown us. The foundation of democracy must be strengthened gradually. This must happen at all levels in Bangladesh, from the local government level to the national level. And, of course, it must be developed progressively within the party at all unit levels," he said.