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1,000 new nurses would soon be recruited |
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May 12, 2000
Dhaka, May 11 (UNB)- Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today announced 1,000 new nurses would soon be recruited and beds at Dhaka Medical College Hospital almost doubled to 1400 from 800 for expansion of heath services.
She said the steps were being taken under an essential health package plan undertaken by the government to ensure basic medicare for all. Apart from expanding government health services, the Prime Minister held out assurances of encouraging private initiative for modern medical treatment in the country so that patients don’t have to go abroad draining money. She unveiled the plans while inaugurating the Cardiac Care and Research Centre at ZH Sikdar Women’s Medical College and Hospital at West Dhanmondi.
The new health policy would soon be implemented, she told the function and urged the doctors to improve the standard of treatment and take more care of patients.
To build up a modern medical industry in the country, Hasina said, import duties on sophisticated medical machinery, equipment and essential drugs were withdrawn for treating major diseases like bypass heart surgery and cancer in the country. “I really feel pain when I see newspaper reports that everyday many patients are going abroad for treatment,” the Prime Minister said, assuring that opportunity now has been created at home for heart surgery and treatment of other critical diseases. Hasina said out of 18,000 community clinics planned by the government, 6,000 would be set up this year to reach medical service to the poor people at village and ward levels.
Explaining the government plan, she said the government was giving assistance for setting up medical colleges, specialist hospitals and clinics in the private sector.
Special projects have been undertaken for development of Rajshahi, Sylhet, Mymensingh and Sir Salimullah Medical Colleges. Besides, steps have been taken to impart training to doctors, nurses and others involved in the health sector.
The Prime Minister mentioned Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University set up to increase the number of specialist physicians, 100-bed kidney hospital and 50-bed mental hospital.
She said reproductive health sector was given priority to reduce mother and child mortality rates. The function was also addressed by Local Government Minister Zillur Rahman, Finance Minister SAMS Kibria, State Minister for Health Dr M Amanullah, Makbul Hossain MP and chairman of Sikdar Women’s Medical College and Hospital ZH Sikdar.
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