The government has proposed an allocation of Tk 41,908 crore for the health and family welfare sector in the financial year 025-2026 (FY26), which is over Tk 501 crore more than the actual allocation of FY25.
Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed disclosed this while presenting the proposed national budget for fiscal year 2025-26 in a pre-recorded broadcast on Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar. In the budget of FY2024- 25, the allocation was Tk 41,407 crore, he said.
To bring all the citizens under universal health coverage by 2030, special emphasis has been given on expanding the scope of services, infrastructure development and recruitment of skilled human resources.
“I propose to allocate an additional Tk 4,166 crore for providing free medical services to the poor people and Tk 1,000 crore for the Expanded Program on Immunization in the next fiscal year to ensure healthcare services for the poor.
To fill the vacancies in the health sector, the recruitment of doctors, nurses, technicians, pharmacists and health assistants has been accelerated, and an integrated plan has been taken to create necessary posts.
Initiatives have been taken to recruit doctors on an emergency basis through special BCS.
To simplify the health services, telemedicine services have been introduced in 232 hospitals and expert consultation services have been ensured through health call centers named 'Health Window', said Dr Salehuddin.
Besides, the monthly remuneration of private students of Master's and FCPS has been increased to Tk 35,000 from Tk 25,000. Community education allowances for medical students and nursing students have also been increased.
The monthly allowance for basic subject teachers in medical education has been increased to 50 percent of the basic salary from 20 percent, effective from the next fiscal year, he said.
MSH
