Budget FY26: Health sector gets Tk41,908cr

Considering the importance of the health sector in national development, Tk41,908 crore has been allocated for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for the 2025-26 fiscal year.

The allocation for this sector was Tk41,407 crore in the 2024-25 fiscal year budget.

The allocation was announced by Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed via a pre-recorded speech telecast today (2 June), during which he placed the national budget of Tk7,89,999 crore for FY26.

"To ensure healthcare services for the poor population, I propose allocating an additional Tk4,166 crore for providing them with free medical services in the upcoming fiscal year and Tk1,000 crore for the expanded vaccination program," he said in the budget speech. 

The finance adviser said special emphasis has been placed on expanding service coverage, infrastructure development, and recruiting a skilled workforce to bring all citizens under universal healthcare by 2030. 

"Recruitment of doctors, nurses, technicians, pharmacists, and health assistants has been accelerated to fill vacant positions in the health sector, and an integrated plan has been adopted to create necessary posts," he added. 

"If it becomes possible to create a skilled workforce in the caregiver sector as per the demand of developed countries, it will expand opportunities for foreign employment and open new doors for earning foreign remittances. With this goal, initiatives have been taken to provide necessary training for caregivers," said Salehuddin. 

"Additionally, launching PhD courses in nursing education and establishing a nurse teacher training centre to provide international standard training are under consideration," he added.