Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday directed the authorities to launch a pilot project in several districts as part of the government’s plan to introduce a National e-Health Platform to bring the country’s healthcare system under an integrated digital framework.
The directive came at a meeting on integrated information technology systems in the health sector at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon, chaired by the Prime Minister.
The meeting discussed the proposed structure, management system and potential applications of the National e-Health Platform in healthcare, Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu said.
Initially, the platform will be tested in several districts to assess its effectiveness, potential challenges, costs and feasibility. The government plans to expand the platform gradually after reviewing the experience and results of the pilot project.
The Prime Minister instructed the authorities to ensure effective use of information technology in healthcare so that ordinary people can easily benefit from the system and access medical services more conveniently.
He stressed ensuring secure storage of patients’ health information and making necessary data readily accessible to relevant doctors and healthcare institutions when required.
Tarique Rahman also emphasised data security and privacy, while directing that the platform be user-friendly, cost-effective and sustainable in the long term.
He instructed the authorities to properly evaluate the pilot project’s results before taking further steps.
Engineer Zakaria Swapan made a presentation on different aspects of the proposed National e-Health Platform at the meeting.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain, State Minister Dr MA Muhit, Prime Minister’s Special Assistants Dr SM Ziauddin Hyder and Dr Shakirul Islam Khan, Health Services Division Secretary Md Quamruzzaman Chowdhury, ICT Secretary Md Mamunur Rashid Bhuiyan and senior officials concerned attended the meeting.
Meanwgile, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday approved the construction of a highway on the Rahmatpur–Hizla–Mehendiganj–Bhola route to connect the island district of Bhola with the country’s main road network.
The decision was taken at a meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Office in the capital’s Tejgaon.
The meeting discussed three proposals for establishing direct road connectivity between Bhola, Dhaka and Barishal. The proposal submitted by the Roads and Highways Department for the Barishal–Rahmatpur–Hizla–Mehendiganj–Bhola route was selected.
Under the plan, a highway will be constructed along the route to bring Bhola into the national road network.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman stressed the need to develop an integrated road system to remove geographical barriers, ensure uninterrupted connectivity and expand opportunities for trade and commerce. He also directed the authorities concerned to expedite the initiative to connect Bhola with the main road network.
Project officials said the proposed route would require widening existing roads, constructing new roads and building three small bridges. A feasibility and viability assessment of the project will be carried out soon.
Once implemented, the project will establish direct road connectivity between Bhola, Barishal, Dhaka and other parts of the country, reducing travel time and costs, officials said.
As Bhola is surrounded by rivers, its residents have long depended heavily on waterways for transportation. The new road link is expected to reduce that dependence.
Officials at the meeting said a major advantage of the Hizla–Mehendiganj–Bhola route would be savings in distance, time and costs. It could become an effective alternative route, particularly for travel between Bhola, Dhaka and Barishal.
Road Transport and Bridges and Railways and Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam, Shipping Ministry and Bridges Division State Minister Rajib Ahsan, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Shakirul Islam Khan, Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary Mohammad Ziaul Haque, Bridges Division Secretary Mohammad Abdur Rauf and Roads and Highways Department Chief Engineer Md Moniruzzaman, among other senior officials concerned, attended the meeting.
