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Though he said strengthening the health sector is the government's top priority, Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal has increased allocation for the ailing health sector by just a little bit in the National Budget for 2022-2023 fiscal year (FY23).
The minister on Thursday proposed an allocation of Tk 368.63 billion for health and family welfare sector, up by only Tk 41.32 billion from last year's allocation.
The allocation was Tk. 327.31 billion in the outgoing FY22, reports UNB.
With the new allocation, the health sector received 5.4 per cent of the total budget which was 5.2 per cent in the last year's budget.
"The allocation is meant for the overall development of the sector," the minister said.
He said Bangladesh is continuously putting efforts to protect lives and recover the economy by revamping the health sector.
Considering the impact of the Covid-19 on public health, Kamal said the Covid protocol is still being strictly observed, precautionary measures are being taken, plans are being formulated and adequate budget is being allocated to overcome the weakness of the health sector.
"Among the six priority sectors for development mentioned in the Eight Five Year Plan, the most significant are - 'Rapid Recovery from Covid-19 to Restore Human Health, Confidence, Employment, Income and Economic Activities'. By giving the highest priority to this agenda, the government is trying to boost up the confidence level of the people by strengthening the public health system, creating job opportunities by keeping economic activities normal," he observed.
The minister said the government has given priority to the health, nutrition and population sector after a successful recovery from the pandemic so that every citizen gets quality health service which helps build a healthy and energetic population.
He said the government has started a screening system including the formulation of a guideline for medication and control of non-infectious diseases like high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes and kidney-related diseases.
"We are at the point of eradication of diseases like Filaria and Visceral Leishmaniasis. The government has set up a target to make Bangladesh free from Malaria by 2030. The government is also working relentlessly to control the diseases carried by Aedes mosquitoes especially Dengue and Chikungunya through a programme since January 2017," Kamal said.
He said the government is continuously working for autism and autistic children. "In the meantime, 133,000 autistic children have been given treatment. Child Development Centre has been established in 16 Medical College Hospitals including at Dhaka Shishu Hospital and it has also been planned to do so in 15 more Medical College Hospitals and 9 District Hospitals."
The minister said they have taken up various priority-based activities for the development of mother and child health under the fourth sector programme.