Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said her party is politically committed to devote themselves to the welfare of the people—not only for winning their votes.
“We are committed to the welfare of the people… being in power is not a luxury for us. This is our duty, and we have learned it from Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,” she said.
“The people have the right to vote freely for their chosen candidate. We do not consider their political alignment when we do work for them,” she said.
The prime minister made these statements while inaugurating Community Vision Centres located in 20 upazilas, of eight districts surrounding Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatun Nesa Mujib Eye Hospital and Training Institute, in Gopalganj district. She announced this via video conference from Ganabhaban on Wednesday.
She also spoke with the beneficiaries of the centres, doctors, and local administrative officials.
Sheikh Hasina said healthcare is a basic human right, adding that Bangabandhu had tried to ensure healthcare for all by establishing a 10-bed hospital in each village following the liberation of the country.
She said that the government is steadily getting healthcare services to the doorsteps of the people—as well as providing them with better, modern services.
State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Zahid Malik, and the prime minister’s former advisor Dr Syed Modasser Ali, also spoke at the occasion. Secretary of the health division Sirajul Haque Khan gave a presentation on different aspects of the project.
Health Minister Mohammad Nasim, and noted eye specialist Deen Mohammad Noorul Huq, chairman of Aravind Eye Hospital of Mumbai, India RD Ravindran, spoke on the occasion—from other side of the video conference at Bagamata Sheikh Fazilatun Nesa Mujib Eye Hospital and Training Institute in Gopalganj district.
Sheikh Hasina said the Community Vision Centres would play an epoch-changing role in providing southern Bangladesh with services to diagnose and treat eye diseases .
Critically-ill patients at the Community Vision Centres of nearby districts will be referred to the Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatun Nesa Mujib Eye Hospital and Training Institute in Gopalganj.
Sheikh Hasina also announced the establishment of a Tk20 crore fund to treat poor eye patients, saying such eyecare services would gradually be built all over the country.
