Prime Minister urges doctors to be more compassionate in patient care

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed authorities to take all necessary measures to enhance healthcare access for marginalized communities, while urging physicians to show greater compassion and dedication when treating patients.

The Prime Minister issued these directives during a meeting with officials at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare at the Secretariat on Monday afternoon. This marks the first time the Prime Minister has personally visited the Health Ministry auditorium to conduct a meeting.

During the session, the Prime Minister issued a series of directives. At the outset, he evaluated the healthcare sector's progress over the past five months since his government took office. Presenting their updates, the Health Minister, Minister of State, Secretary, and other top officials noted that previous administrations had left the healthcare sector on the brink of collapse, making it difficult for grassroots citizens to access proper medical services. They added that relentless efforts are now underway to remedy the situation.

Addressing widespread reports on social media and mainstream news regarding unsatisfactory medical services at the upazila level due to negligence, the Prime Minister ordered strict disciplinary and administrative action against those responsible.

He emphasized that healthcare must be made accessible to rural populations under any circumstances, ensuring adequate medicine and satisfactory treatment. He stated that people should receive treatment at public hospitals effortlessly without facing harassment, so that government facilities become their primary and most trusted resource.

Highlighting his commitment to kidney patients, the Prime Minister announced plans to set up 50-bed dialysis centers at the district level to alleviate their suffering. He stated that existing 10-bed dialysis centers in districts will be expanded to 50 beds, and dialysis facilities will be phased into upazilas nationwide over the next three years. He instructed officials to ensure the necessary skilled manpower and logistical support are developed in tandem.

The meeting also discussed the government's initiative to upgrade upazila health complexes from 51-bed to 101-bed facilities, focusing on required staffing and infrastructure. Public Works Department engineers presented structural designs and technical details during the session.

The high-level meeting was attended by the Health Minister, the Minister of State, senior ministry officials, and directors and top executives from various major hospitals, including Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Bangladesh Medical University.