Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said that 5% of GDP will be allocated to the health sector in phases to strengthen the healthcare system for all people.
In a message on the eve of World Health Day 2026, he said preventive healthcare activities will be expanded alongside 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, 80 percent of whom will be women.
The prime minister 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.
He added that 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.
“To achieve these goals, five percent of GDP will be allocated to the health sector in phases,” he said.
Tarique Rahman said that with a commitment to building a healthy and safe world for future generations, World Health Day 2026 will be observed in Bangladesh tomorrow, as elsewhere in the world, with the theme “Together for Health, Stand with Science.”
He noted that human beings, animals, and the environment are closely interconnected, and the safety and well-being of one depend on the 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 the 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 in healthcare. In Bangladesh, he added, there is no alternative to the use of technology to ensure sustainable, quality, and equitable healthcare services for marginalized people.
He said innovations and the 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 reiterated that his government believes “Prevention is better than Cure.” Based on the principle of “Health for All,” he said the government is committed to ensuring accessible and affordable healthcare services for everyone within a welfare-oriented state framework.
“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 greetings and congratulations to those in the health sector and wished success for all programmes of the day.