Staff Reporter :
In the latest budget proposal for the fiscal year 2025, Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali has announced a significant increase in the allocation for the health sector.
The proposed budget for the health sector stands at Tk41,407 crore, marking a notable rise from Tk38,051 crore in the previous fiscal year.
Among the key highlights of the proposed budget is the introduction of new vaccines—typhoid conjugate and Japanese encephalitis vaccines—to the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) in 2025.
Addressing the ongoing health risks posed by pandemics, Minister Ali proposed a dedicated allocation of Tk2,000 crore.
Furthermore, the finance minister announced the allocation of Tk100 crore for the Integrated Health-Science Research and Development Fund. This fund aims to bolster research infrastructure in medicine, facilitate research activities, and foster innovations in the health sector.
In his speech, Minister Ali reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring universal health and nutrition for all citizens. He emphasised the progress made in the development of the health, nutrition, and family welfare sectors, despite resource constraints.
“Bangladesh has demonstrated remarkable success in achieving health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and is now striving towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 and the goals outlined in the Perspective Plan by 2041,” added the minister.
Highlighting the government’s efforts over the past 15 years, Minister Ali acknowledged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s initiatives in implementing extensive health research programmes, which have led to significant improvements, including reductions in maternal and child mortality rates, increases in life expectancy, and enhanced immunisation coverage.
The government’s community clinic initiative, which has constructed over 14,000 clinics providing free medicine, has garnered international recognition for its contribution to healthcare accessibility.