Government working to spread quality healthcare to remote areas: Prime Minister

The Prime Minister said these things after inaugurating the 500-bed new building of Neuroscience Hospital on Saturday (August 15).

He said the goal of a modern health system is not just expansion of infrastructure and technology; rather, it is to ensure accessible, affordable and quality healthcare for every person in the country through a combination of advanced technology, skilled human resources, good governance and timely policies.

The Prime Minister informed that this expanded building named 'Neuroscience-2' has been constructed with the aim that common people can get world-class neurotreatment at low cost. Built with modern medical technology, additional beds and skilled manpower, this facility will bring a ray of hope for thousands of patients.

He said having technology alone does not improve healthcare — humanity is also very important. Technology can detect disease, but there is no alternative to doctors' humane behavior in understanding a patient's fear, anxiety and mental suffering and reassuring them. He thinks it is crucial to maintain mutual trust, respect and compassion among the three parties — doctors, patients and their relatives — to ensure unhindered healthcare.

The Prime Minister further said if doctors suffer from insecurity or patients and their relatives do not feel a relationship of trust and dignity with doctors, then no matter how much hospital infrastructure is improved, going abroad for treatment cannot be stopped.

Describing the right to health not just as a fundamental right but as the key to a nation's economic and social progress, the Prime Minister said healthcare must be accessible and equally available to all. If advanced treatment remains limited to the wealthy in cities, it cannot be called complete modern healthcare. Therefore, the government has taken multiple steps to deliver affordable and quality treatment to remote areas, the poor and marginalized communities.

The Prime Minister also informed that within the current government's tenure, every upazila hospital is being upgraded to a 151-bed hospital in phases.