Staff Correspondent

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that her government is working with the ideals of the greatest Bangalee of all time and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by giving priority to the expansion and improvement of the country's health sector.

The prime minister said this on the eve of the 'World Kidney Day-2024’ to be observed in the country and elsewhere across the globe tomorrow, aiming to raise awareness about the importance of sound kidneys.

“We established Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University in the country in 1998. Apart from that, Medical universities have been established in Rajshahi, Chattogram, Sylhet and Khulna to expand healthcare and essential research activities across the country,” the premier added.

The AL government has formulated a pro-people health policy, she said, adding that this policy is being implemented.

The number of beds in the hospital, general and specialized hospitals and specialized medical services has increased manifold, she said.

Around 18,000 community clinics and union health centers are engaged in providing health care to the rural population, she said, adding that 30 items of medicine are being given free of cost from the community clinics.

The United Nations has recognised 'Community Clinic' as 'The Sheikh Hasina Initiative', she said.

“We have established new medical colleges, dental colleges, nursing colleges, nursing institutes, medical assistant training schools and health technology institutes all over the country,” she said.

“We spend a large portion of the budget in the health sector on kidney disease treatment, dialysis and kidney transplantation,” she said.

Initiatives including starting kidney dialysis services in each district on a priority basis, providing low-cost dialysis services and arrangements for kidney transplantation have been taken, Sheikh Hasina said.

The premier wished all the programmes taken for the 'World Kidney Day-2024' a success.