Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain on Thursday said not only can drugs save the health of the nation, but it is necessary to develop preventive measures from birth to build a healthy nation.
“Now it is not only to concentrate on the cure of the diseases, but also need to focus on disease prevention from the age of zero”, he said.
The minister said this as the chief guest while addressing the research outcome programme run under the revenue budget of 2025-26 fiscal at the National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine (NIPSOM) at Mohakhali in the city.
With NIPSOM director Professor Dr Nasrin Sultana in the chair, the programme was also attended, among others, by Prime Minister's Special Assistant for Health Affairs Dr SM Ziauddin Haider, Doctors' Association of Bangladesh (DAB) secretary general Dr Md Zahirul Islam Shakil, Bangladesh Medical Research Council (BMRC) chairman Professor Dr Sayera Akhter and director general (DG) of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Professor Dr Pravath Chandra Biswas.
Addressing the doctors, the health minister said a smiling face and compassionate behavior of a doctor can help to make the patient more confident and healthy. He said only doctors can help to recover the patient, as they (Doctors) are the last resort of helpless patients.
To provide tablet or medicines is not a treatment of the people, but good advice and gentle behavior are also a part of healthcare services.
The doctors themselves should become humane people who not only give medicine but help the patient to recover with a positive attitude.
Expressing concern over raising cancer and kidney patients, the health minister said the kidney and cancer patients are rising alarmingly in the country as these patients have to endure immense sufferings and their pain is endless.
Highlighting the pledges of the present government, Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain said the present BNP government is committed to ensuring healthcare services for all.
“Our prime responsibility is to reach healthcare services to all. None of the citizen will remain beyond the services,” he told the function.
Regarding the appointment of 1,000,00 health workers, the health minister said the government will appoint these health workers soon across the country, adding that primary health unit also will be developed at the union and ward level.
Besides this, upazila health complexes will also be developed to 100-bed and integrated mother and newborn health care services also will be ensured.
Regarding the recent child deaths driven by measles, a very contagious viral disease, in the country, the health and family welfare minister said the fatality was not seen in previous time but recent times, it is happening due to child malnutrition.
Speaking at the function, PM’s Special Assistant for Health Affairs Dr SM Ziauddin Haider said NIPSOM is playing a pivotal role in producing skilled researchers in the health sector.
FP/R
