Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has warned of efforts to destabilise the country’s power and energy sector

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has alleged that a group is deliberately attempting to create instability in Bangladesh’s power and energy sector through various means while spreading misleading information.

He made the remarks on Saturday morning while addressing a doctors’ gathering at the LD Hall of the National Parliament, organised to mark the 37th founding anniversary of the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB).

Tarique Rahman said efforts were underway to disrupt the power and energy sector, adding that the government had already begun taking measures to steer the country and its people out of the ongoing crisis.

He said the government inherited a fragile situation after assuming office, citing a weak economy, a divided administration and vulnerable education and healthcare systems.

“We are working to rebuild the country successfully from this situation,” he said.

The prime minister also alleged that beneficiaries of the previous regime’s “fascism” remained active in different parts of the state and administration.

He said poorly planned projects and initiatives undertaken in the past had placed the energy sector under pressure. The government, he added, was working to address those shortcomings and restore stability.

Government plans to recruit 100,000 health workers

Speaking about healthcare reforms, Tarique said the government’s health policy was guided by the principle that prevention is better than cure.

He announced plans to recruit 100,000 health workers to raise public awareness about disease prevention and primary healthcare.

“Under the leadership of doctors, these health workers will make citizens aware of and alert about primary healthcare,” he said.

Tarique urges doctors to balance politics and profession

Addressing the political involvement of doctors and other professionals, Tarique said political awareness and participation among students, teachers and professionals were natural in a democratic society.

He noted that political decisions influence almost every aspect of life, making it reasonable for professionals to remain politically conscious or organised.

However, he urged doctors to ensure that political activities did not interfere with their professional duties and responsibilities.

Government to consider doctors’ demands

Tarique said the government would examine several demands raised by DAB, describing them as reasonable.

The demands include recruiting 5,000 doctors through a special BCS examination as soon as possible, raising the age limit for doctors entering government service to 32–34 years, and increasing the retirement age of doctors to 61–65 years.

Other demands include introducing a healthcare protection law, providing special allowances for doctors working at the upazila level, and establishing a fair and specific salary structure for doctors in the private sector.

“These issues should be among the government’s considerations,” the prime minister said.

Health budget and e-Health Card

Tarique said the government had allocated the second-highest budget in the country’s history to the health sector.

He said the government planned to gradually increase healthcare spending to 5 per cent of GDP. It also intends to introduce an e-Health Card at the earliest and upgrade every upazila health complex into a 101-bed hospital.

Prime minister seeks doctors’ support

Tarique called on doctors working in both the public and private sectors to support the government’s healthcare initiatives.

“Let us work together to build a doctor-friendly Bangladesh where every citizen receives quality healthcare and no one has to travel abroad for advanced medical treatment,” he said.

Tarique’s wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, attended the gathering.

Local Government Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, DAB President Professor Dr Harun Al Rashid and DAB Secretary General Dr Md Zahirul Islam Shakil were also present.