5pc of GDP will be allocated for health sector in phases: PM
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said five percent of GDP will be allocated to the health sector in phases to make the healthcare system for every people. In a message on the eve of World Health Day 2026, he also said preventive healthcare activities will be expanded along with quality medical services including comprehensive maternal and child healthcare in both urban and rural areas.
He said one lakh healthcare workers will be recruited in phases and 80 percent of them will be women. The premier said his government plans to introduce e-health cards for every citizen, ensure rapid and quality treatment for chronic and multifactorial diseases through public-private partnership (PPP) initiatives. The government will implement necessary reforms to improve service quality and keep treatment costs affordable, introduce and gradually expand health insurance, strengthen medical education and research, and enact fair laws for both service providers and recipients, he said.
“To achieve these goals, five percent of GDP will be allocated to the health sector in phases,” he said. Tarique Rahman said with a commitment to building a healthy and safe world for our future generations, World Health Day 2026 will be observed tomorrow in Bangladesh as elsewhere in the world with the theme “Together for Health, Stand with Science”. He said human beings, animals, and the environment—these three components are closely interconnected as the safety and well-being of one is dependent on others.
Therefore, protection of all forms of life is a demand of the time, he said adding that this is the concept of ‘One Health,’ which emphasizes not only human well-being but also the health of surrounding living beings and the environment. To achieve this goal, it is essential to ensure research and use of sustainable technologies by integrating medical science, agricultural science, veterinary science, and environmental science, he said.
The prime minister said the rapid advancement of science worldwide has created unprecedented opportunities and possibilities in healthcare. Particularly in Bangladesh, there is no alternative to use of technology to ensure sustainable, quality, and equitable healthcare services for marginalized people, he said. The premier said innovations, applications, and expansion of technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning (ML) must be encouraged to ensure fast and accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
Tarique Rahman said his government believes that ‘Prevention is better than Cure.’ Based on that principle of ‘Health for All,’ this government is committed to ensuring accessible and affordable healthcare services for everyone within the existing system of a developed welfare-oriented state, he said. “Healthcare is not a privilege; it is a fundamental human right,” he said urging all to fulfill their responsibilities with honesty, dedication, and sincerity to help build a healthy and strong nation.
He also extended sincere greetings and congratulations to everybody of the health sector and wished all success of all programs of the day.
