Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain has called for healthier lifestyle choices and greater public awareness as non-communicable diseases continue to rise in Bangladesh.
He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a public seminar titled “Every Heartbeat is Life” at the National Heart Foundation in Mirpur, Dhaka, on Wednesday, marking World Heart Day.
The program was chaired by National Heart Foundation President Prof Dr Khondker Abdul Awal Rizvi.
The health minister said the government has taken several initiatives to bring healthcare services closer to people.
Work is underway to increase the capacity of all upazila health complexes from 50 to 151 beds, he said.
The government also plans to establish 10 dialysis centers at district-level hospitals and 50 at medical college hospitals, according to the minister.
These initiatives will help reduce pressure on hospitals in Dhaka and allow people in different parts of the country to receive necessary treatment closer to home, he said.
Sakhawat said the government had allocated the highest-ever budget for the health sector this year, stressing that improving healthcare infrastructure alone would not be enough without adequate manpower.
A nationwide recruitment process for nurses has already begun, while police verification of selected candidates is underway, he added.
The minister also expressed concern over rising HIV infections in the country.
He stressed the need to strengthen preventive measures and raise public awareness to address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases.
Textile and Jute Ministry Secretary Sharaf Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury, National Heart Foundation Secretary General Prof Fazila-Tun-Nesa Malik, Directorate General of Medical Education Director General Prof Nazmul Hossain and Prof Sohel Reza, among others, attended the program.
