PM urges doctors not to let political affiliations affect duties

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has urged physicians to remain alert so that political involvement does not disrupt their professional duties.

He made the call while addressing a doctors’ gathering on Saturday morning, organized on the LD Hall premises of the National Parliament on the occasion of the 37th founding anniversary of the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB), the pro-BNP physicians’ organization.

The Prime Minister said that political decisions affect almost every work in a democratic state. Therefore, it is not unreasonable for students, teachers, and professionals to remain politically conscious or organized according to their respective ideologies.

“However, the most important thing is that political involvement should not hinder or cause any obstruction in fulfilling professional duties. I urge all DAB doctors present here to be alert in this regard,” he said.

The Prime Minister stated that bringing qualitative changes in politics beyond traditional practices is now a pressing demand of time. This need for change in every sector has become more evident, especially after August 5.

Doctors must work with a mindset of service

Highlighting various steps of the government in the health sector, the Prime Minister said a decision has been taken to upgrade the number of beds in upazila health complexes to 101. Besides, there are plans to introduce health cards soon.

“I personally strongly believe that unless doctors dedicate themselves with a mindset of service, we cannot achieve success through infrastructure development alone,” he said.

Noting that doctors face various limitations while performing their duties, the Prime Minister said unintentional negligence or laxity in duties despite these constraints brings the overall activities of the government into question. At the same time, it creates distrust among people regarding doctors and the healthcare system.

“In this regard, the people of the country expect a more responsible and humane role from doctors,” he added.

The Prime Minister said, “Let us together build a doctor-friendly Bangladesh where every citizen will receive proper healthcare and will not go abroad for advanced treatment.”

Demands are not unreasonable

Referring to various demands of doctors, including special recruitment, increasing the age limit for physicians, and enacting the Healthcare Protection Act, the Prime Minister said these demands are not unreasonable when considered from the doctors’ perspective.

However, he remarked that the overall situation of the country at the time the current government assumed power must also be taken into consideration.

“When the current government took charge, it can be said we inherited a fragile state. We got a weak economy, a divided administration, and a broken education and health system. From that state, the government is trying to make the entire nation stand tall successfully,” he said.

Beneficiaries of fascism are active

The Prime Minister commented that beneficiaries of fascism are still active in the country’s political and administrative system.

“Beneficiaries of fascism in the state, political rule, and administration are not sitting idle. You must have noticed recently that a syndicate is subtly active in destabilizing the power and energy sector. They are presenting misleading statements in various ways,” he said.

Clarifying that the government is not denying the suffering of the people regarding electricity and gas, he said the country and its people are now paying the price for unplanned projects and policies adopted in the past to benefit a specific group.

He added that the government has already started working to overcome this situation. Unplanned projects are being reviewed and realistic plans are being taken to bring the energy sector out of the crisis.

The Prime Minister noted that the government has adopted pragmatic plans and started implementation to make every sector, including education, health, and energy, self-reliant.

Second highest budget in health sector

The Prime Minister stated that for the first time, the government has allocated the second highest budget to the health sector to make Bangladesh’s health system modern and self-reliant.

However, noting that this goal cannot be achieved through government efforts alone, he called upon all public and private doctors from the upazila to district levels to step forward.

“Without your cooperation, support, and help, it will certainly not be possible for the government to implement these,” the Prime Minister said.

Tree plantation and flag hoisting

Before starting the doctors’ gathering on DAB’s 37th founding anniversary, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his wife Zubaida Rahman planted two saplings on the LD Hall premises. Later, the Prime Minister hoisted the national flag while the national anthem was played.

Afterward, the Prime Minister and Zubaida Rahman inaugurated the physicians’ gathering by releasing pigeons and balloons.

At the rally, Dr. Mostafa Adib Suman presented a keynote paper titled ‘Bangladesh’s Health Sector: Solution from Crisis’. Saif Mohammad presented another paper titled ‘Rise of the National Health System’.

Chaired by DAB President Professor Harun Al Rashid, the event was addressed by Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the Prime Minister’s wife Zubaida Rahman, Women and Children Affairs Minister Professor AZM Zahid Hossain, Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain, State Minister MA Muhit, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Affairs SM Ziauddin Haider, and DAB General Secretary Zahirul Islam Shakil.