Opposition only talks about power-sharing reforms, not health sector reforms: MA Muhith

The opposition party only talks about reforms that will ensure their share of power but they have never discussed health sector reforms, said State Minister for Health Professor Dr MA Muhith. 

He made the comments while participating in the discussion on the proposed budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year on the 17th day of the second and first budget sessions of the 13th National Parliament on Sunday.

The State Minister said, “The opposition party often talks about reforms and the July Charter. But they have not talked even once about the reforms needed in the health sector. The Health Reform Commission has given a comprehensive report. The government would have been more encouraged if the opposition had discussed it in parliament.”

He said that the country’s economy, health and education systems have become weak due to misrule in the last 15 years. The people have high expectations from the current parliament formed through democratic elections after the change of government through a mass movement. The government is working to fulfill those expectations even with limited resources.

Regarding the health sector budget, Dr MA Muhith said that the main goal of this budget is to rebuild the collapsed health system and build an integrated system where everyone, regardless of the rich or poor, will get easily accessible and affordable medical services. 

He said that the allocation for the health sector in this budget has almost doubled from Tk 35,000 crore in the last fiscal year to Tk 69,000 crore.

He said that investment in the health sector is not just about building hospitals; it plays an important role in increasing the average life expectancy of people, reducing poverty, increasing productivity and reducing social inequality.

He mentioned the spread of non-communicable diseases, combating epidemics, rapid urbanisation, rising medical costs and ensuring effective use of technology as the main challenges of the health sector in Bangladesh. 

He said that about 71 per cent of the total deaths in the country are due to non-communicable diseases. At the same time, about 79 per cent of the medical expenses have to be borne by patients from their own pockets, which is 10 per cent in Thailand and 18 per cent in the Maldives.

The State Minister said that the government’s goal is not to build hospitals in an unplanned manner. Rather, it focuses on structural reforms of the health system, manpower development, modernisation of health management, decentralisation and ensuring transparency and accountability in procurement. 

An effective health system based on primary health care will be developed to ensure equal healthcare for urban and rural people, he added.

He further said that the government will give utmost importance to disease prevention along with treatment of diseases, so that necessary preventive measures can be ensured before people get sick.