No one will be denied treatment for lack of money: PM

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has pledged to ensure that no one is deprived of medical treatment due to financial hardship, saying the government is working to build a healthcare system that will reduce the need for Bangladeshis to seek treatment abroad.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman made the remarks on Saturday morning after inaugurating a newly constructed 500-bed building at the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital. He said five specialized children’s hospitals would be launched across the country in October. The prime minister also said steps would be taken to ensure that financial constraints do not prevent people from accessing necessary healthcare.

Earlier at around 10am, the prime minister formally inaugurated the 15-storey building by planting a sapling on the hospital premises, attending a prayer and releasing balloons and pigeons. His wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain, Social Welfare Minister Dr AZM Zahid Hossain and senior officials were present at the ceremony.

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The new facility has added 500 beds to expand treatment for patients suffering from neurological disorders, raising the hospital’s total capacity to 1,000 beds. Officials said it is the largest hospital of its kind in South Asia. The hospital began operations in 2012 with 300 beds in a 10-storey building, later adding another 200 beds as patient numbers increased.