Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has commented that the Awami League government has made healthcare more affordable. He said that besides delivering health care to every doorstep, his government has made Bangladesh almost self-reliant in the treatment of heart disease. The Prime Minister said these things in a video message at the third scientific conference organized by ‘Bangladesh Cardiovascular Research Foundation’ at a hotel in the capital on Friday. Referring to the fact that 1 crore 79 lakh people die of heart disease every year in the world, Sheikh Hasina said, ‘Bangladesh is now almost self-sufficient in the treatment of heart disease. The country has 95 to 98 percent treatment capacity for heart disease and for this purpose, the country has skilled manpower, modern technology, and necessary equipment. The Prime Minister said that the number of patients suffering from heart disease has increased due to diet, lack of exercise, smoking, and diabetes. He said that the death rate due to heart disease in Bangladesh is about 27 percent. 10 children in every 1000 are affected by heart disease and 1 in 5 young adults is at risk of heart disease. Summarizing the steps taken by his government in the overall development of the health sector, the Chief Minister said that despite various limitations, significant progress has been made in the health sector in the last 14 years. So far, more than 600 hospitals have been constructed across the country in addition to setting up 11 postgraduate ‘super specialty hospitals, cardiovascular hospitals, thoracic hospitals, cancer hospitals, neuroscience hospitals, and other hospitals. Sheikh Hasina said that the government has established 18,500 community clinics and union health centers to ensure basic health care for the people of the villages. 30 types of medicines are being distributed free of cost from the hospital. Tele-medicine services have been introduced in 43 hospitals across the country; Where there are 30,000 satellite clinics to ensure healthcare for mothers and children. Apart from this, there are 103 service centers to provide free treatment to 5 lakh autistic children. The prime minister said that the Awami League government has planned to build one medical college in each district. He said the number of medical colleges was 50 in 2009. From there it currently stands at 115. At the same time, the number of seats in the medical college now stands at 10 thousand 789. In 2009 there were only 2 thousand 50 seats. In addition, the number of dental medical colleges and units currently stands at 37; Which was 13 in 2009. Stating that the government will build one medical university in each department, Sheikh Hasina said, “Our medical system has improved greatly and the skills of doctors have also increased.” Diseases that earlier had to be treated abroad are now being treated in the country.
