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Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed, in his budget speech for the fiscal year 2025-26 (FY26), proposed an additional allocation of Tk 41.66 billion to provide free medical services to underprivileged communities across the country.
Presenting the national budget on Monday, the adviser also proposed a Tk 10 billion allocation for the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) to ensure broader healthcare coverage for the poor.
Emphasising the crucial role of healthcare in national development, he proposed a total allocation of Tk 419.08 billion for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for FY26. This marks a slight increase from the Tk 414.07 billion allocated in the previous fiscal year.
To address workforce shortages in the health sector, the government has accelerated recruitment efforts for doctors, nurses, technicians, pharmacists, and health assistants. An integrated plan has also been initiated to create necessary new posts, the adviser said.
In efforts to improve healthcare access, telemedicine services have been launched in 232 hospitals across the country, while expert consultations are being offered through health call centres under the ‘Health Window’ initiative.
In a significant policy move, the government will raise the monthly allowance for basic subject teachers in medical education from 20 per cent to 50 per cent of their basic salary, effective from the upcoming fiscal year.
The adviser also highlighted plans to develop a skilled healthcare workforce to meet global demand, which could open new opportunities for overseas employment and increase remittance earnings. In line with this, training programmes for caregivers are being expanded, and the launch of PhD programmes in nursing education and the establishment of an international-standard training centre for nurse educators are under consideration.
These initiatives are part of the government’s broader vision to harness the demographic dividend and build a healthier, more prosperous Bangladesh.
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