President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today called for ensuring world-class healthcare services, modern technology, skilled specialist doctors and a patient-friendly environment within the country.
“Many patients from Bangladesh are compelled to go abroad for advanced treatment. Besides limitations in specialized treatment, modern technology and expertise, the quality of services and the issue of trust are also responsible for this trend, causing loss of a huge amount of money every year,” he said.
“To reduce this trend, it is necessary to ensure world-class healthcare services, modern technology, skilled specialist doctors and a patient-friendly environment in the country,” he added.
The President made the remarks while inaugurating “Bangladesh Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (BSCRS) Congress- 2026” at the Shaheed Abu Sayeed International Convention Centre in the capital this morning.
The two-day international conference is being organized under the theme "Colorectal Surgery: Global Innovation, Local Impact”, with dignitaries and experts from home and abroad as participants and speakers.
Mirza Fakhrul Islam said, “A modern, affordable and people-friendly healthcare system must be developed in the country by improving the quality of healthcare services, recruiting skilled manpower, using modern technology and ensuring accountability.”
Highlighting the importance of sympathy and compassion in medical services, the President said medical care is not merely a profession but a noble responsibility associated with human life, dignity and hope.
“Humane behaviour towards patients, explaining medical issues to patients and their relatives in simple language, maintaining a clean and safe environment, and ensuring special compassion for poor patients are very essential,” he said. In this context, he further called on all to work together so that no one is deprived of necessary treatment due to financial hardship.
Noting the previous irregularities in country’s health sector, the President said, “The country’s healthcare system had failed to achieve the desired progress over the past 17 years due to fascist rule, mismanagement, rampant corruption and unplanned decisions. Ordinary people had been deprived of timely treatment, medicines and necessary services at government hospitals.” He said expensive equipment had been purchased without ensuring the necessary infrastructure and skilled manpower. Many machines remained unused due to a lack of infrastructure.
“Laboratory equipment had even been purchased without technicians and necessary personnel while prolonged stagnation in recruiting doctors, nurses and technicians had further complicated the situation,” he noted. The President stressed the need for realistic and well-planned initiatives, skilled manpower, people-friendly policies, accountability and transparent use of funds to develop the health sector.
He recalled various initiatives taken by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia for the development of the country's healthcare sector.
Highlighting the current government's initiatives to improve healthcare services, Mirza Fakhrul Islam said the government has allocated 69,409 crore taka for the health sector in 2026-27 fiscal year, the highest allocation ever. He stressed that every taka of the allocation must be used effectively, appropriately and transparently.“The government has taken an initiative to gradually upgrade 100-bed hospitals across the country to 150-bed facilities. Measures have also been undertaken to expand healthcare services at local and upazila levels and recruit doctors, nurses, midwives, technicians and other health workers to make the healthcare system more people-oriented,” he noted.
About the conference, the President called upon all concerned to take more active initiatives to raise public awareness, detect diseases at an early stage and expand access to affordable specialized treatment.
“A significant number of people in the country suffer from colorectal diseases. Due to embarrassment, hesitation and lack of awareness, many patients delay seeking medical attention, causing their conditions to become complicated,” he said.
Following a demand raised at the conference for establishing a National Institute of Colorectal Surgery, the President assured the organizers of appropriate cooperation in this regard. Wishing the conference every success, he said participants would enrich their knowledge through the expertise and experience of world-class surgeons and use the opportunity to serve the common people of the country. “Bangladesh will move forward towards establishing a modern, affordable, accountable and people-friendly healthcare system with your support,” he said. Earlier, the BSCRS presented an honorary crest to the President.
BSCRS adviser Professor Dr Sahadat Hossain Sheikh delivered the welcome address with its President Professor Dr Rashidul Islam in the chair.
