Govt reaffirms commitment to healthcare for poor children

Social Welfare Minister Zahid Hossain has underscored the need to adopt modern technology to improve healthcare services across Bangladesh, saying quality treatment must reach every patient, particularly children, at the grassroots level.

Speaking at a financial assistance distribution programme organised by the Patient Welfare Association at the Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute in the capital on Tuesday, the minister said outdated approaches should be replaced with modern technologies to ensure the highest standard of medical care nationwide.

The assistance programme was funded by the Ministry of Social Welfare.

“The government remains committed to expanding healthcare services for underprivileged and low-income people while giving priority to the health and well-being of children.

“That children account for around 34 percent of the country’s population, quality treatment for children should be available not only in Dhaka but also at hospitals throughout the country,” the minister said.

Zahid Hossain said, the present government has expanded social protection programmes and welfare initiatives compared with previous years. In that context, he said, providing financial assistance for the treatment of children from poor families is of particular importance.

During the programme, the minister handed over cheques worth Tk 50,000 each to the guardians of 40 hospitalised children suffering from congenital heart disease, kidney disease, cancer, liver cirrhosis and stroke-related paralysis.

Among those present at the event were the Secretary to the Ministry, the Director General of the Department of Social Services, physicians, nurses, hospital officials and employees, as well as relatives of the patients.