Tk 41.66b for free medical services to poor

The Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed proposed allocating an additional Tk 41.66 billion for providing free medical services to the poor in the country in his budget speech for the 2025-26 fiscal year on Monday.

An allocation of Tk 10 billion for the Expanded Programme on Immunization was also proposed for the next fiscal year to ensure healthcare services for the poor.

Considering the importance of the health sector in national development, the adviser proposed to allocate Tk 419.08 billion for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in the FY 2025-26.

In the budget of FY 2024-25, the allocation was Tk 414.07 billion.

To fill the vacancies in the health sector, the recruitment of doctors, nurses, technicians, pharmacists and health assistants has been accelerated, and an integrated plan has been taken to create necessary posts, he said.

Telemedicine services have been introduced in 232 hospitals to simplify the health services and expert consultation services have also been ensured through health call centers named 'Health Window'.

The monthly allowance for basic subject teachers in medical education has been increased to 50 per cent from 20 per cent of the basic salary, which will be effective from the next fiscal year.

By developing skilled human resources in this sector to meet the global demand, we can expand opportunities for overseas employment and unlock new avenues for earning foreign remittances.

To this end, initiatives have been taken to provide necessary training for caregivers. Besides, launching PhD courses in nursing education and establishing an international standard training center for nurse educators are being considered, he added.

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