Authoritarianism destroyed health sector to force people to seek treatment in a particular country: Prime Minister

Speaking during the question-and-answer session of the National Parliament session on Monday, the Prime Minister said this.

The Prime Minister said, "Over more than a decade of intolerable authoritarian rule, we have seen how the country's energy sector was made dependent on foreign countries. Instead of using the country's mineral resources for the public interest, everything was made import-dependent. Even the natural development of domestic industry was obstructed through the adoption of planned policies."

Along the same lines, highlighting the destruction of the health sector, the Prime Minister said, "During the authoritarian era, the healthcare system was destroyed bit by bit. Whatever structure of rural healthcare had been built during past democratic governments was destroyed during the authoritarian period. This sector was destroyed in such a way that the people of this country would be forced to go to a particular country for treatment." In this connection, he mentioned that some time ago the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament had also expressed concern about the healthcare system.

Stating that the current government elected by the people's votes is working for the welfare of people from every class and profession, the Prime Minister highlighted a new plan for workers' healthcare. Informing Parliament, he said that for improved medical treatment of the country's working people, the government has taken the initiative to build six specialized hospitals with 100 beds each in six major industrial zones at the initial stage.

Mentioning the names of the industrial zones, the Prime Minister said that initially these hospitals will be built in Tongi, Ashulia, Kaliakair, Narayanganj, Savar and Chattogram. These hospitals will be dedicated solely to providing medical services to workers, and their infrastructure and naming will be done accordingly.