2-year recovery timeline: Khosru flags Tk90,000cr energy burden from war, power dues as headwinds
The minister alleged that although substantial allocations were made to the health sector in the past, a large portion was wasted through corruption, and ordinary people did not receive the expected healthcare services.
Highlights:
- Economy may take two years to recover, says Amir Khosru.
- Government spent Tk40,000 crore extra on energy and faces Tk50,000 crore in dues.
- Plan under consideration to treat poor patients in private hospitals with state support.
- Health budget to increase, but proper use and accountability stressed.
- Shortage of medical technologists leaving costly equipment unused.
Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has said Bangladesh's economy may take around two years to recover from recent financial pressures, citing an additional Tk40,000 crore spent on the oil and gas sector due to the Middle East war and nearly Tk50,000 crore in outstanding dues from previous governments in the power and energy sectors.
Speaking as the chief guest at a ceremony for the foundation stone laying of a new building at Chattogram Maa-O-Shishu Medical College Hospital this morning (16 May), he said healthcare is a fundamental right of every citizen and the government is now focusing on preventive and primary healthcare.
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Khosru, also the planning minister, added that initiatives are being taken to coordinate with private hospitals so that poor people can access better treatment.
He said the government is considering a plan to send poor patients to private hospitals and bear their treatment costs due to the limitations of public hospitals.
He mentioned that the health budget will be increased, but stressed that proper use of allocations must be ensured.
The minister alleged that although substantial allocations were made to the health sector in the past, a large portion was wasted through corruption. Ordinary people did not receive the expected healthcare services, he added.
He said constructing large buildings alone is not enough if those responsible for running the institutions lack honesty and accountability.
Despite limitations, he said, the government will continue supporting educational and healthcare institutions that are performing well.
The minister also expressed concern over the design of the new medical college building, saying parking space for only 72 vehicles will be insufficient for such a large institution and could create severe traffic congestion in the future.
He suggested keeping parking facilities for at least 200 to 250 vehicles, including additional basements if necessary.
He also stressed modernising medical education through digital libraries, multimedia classrooms, sports facilities and quality canteen services.
Highlighting a shortage of medical technologists in the country, he said costly medical equipment remains unused due to a lack of skilled personnel and called for separate institutes for medical technologists.
