Health care is a fundamental right, not a privilege: Zubaida

She said the government is working to build a system where no citizen is deprived of necessary medical services.

The prime minister's wife, herself a physician, made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at an exchange meeting held at Kurmitola General Hospital in the capital, part of her husband's constituency, under the slogan “Implementing Dhaka-17 electoral commitment to ensure equitable health care.”

She said the country’s health sector has faced years of neglect and added that efforts are underway to provide comprehensive health services for residents of Korail, Bhashantek and Sattola slums.

Highlighting existing challenges, she said public hospitals are under heavy pressure, while health workers remain demotivated and unevenly deprived. Access to quality health care is a daily struggle for millions, she added.

“About 72 percent of health expenditure is borne out of pocket by people, making illness one of the major causes of poverty,” she said.

Dr Zubaida said Bangladesh aims to become a healthy, more productive, self-reliant and sovereign nation. The government is working to ensure that people in underserved areas like Korail, Bhashantek and Sattola are no longer deprived of treatment.

She said initiatives are being taken so that everyone from newborns to the elderly can receive proper medical care, while pregnant women can access timely and easy treatment for complications.

Referring to the contribution of low-income communities, she said residents of these areas play a vital role in keeping the city running and supporting key sectors like the garment industry. However, she noted that 42.6 percent of residents still rely on local pharmacies for everyday health issues to avoid missing work.

Calling it “remarkable,” she said people seek treatment at any cost to avoid disruptions to their livelihoods.

Dr Zubaida also stressed the need for dedicated volunteers in the area to raise awareness about available health services at Kurmitola General Hospital. She expressed hope that volunteers and hospital staff in Dhaka-17 constituency would work together to save lives.

“Health care is not a privilege; it is a fundamental right,” she said, adding that services at the hospital are being provided free of cost.

Earlier, she inaugurated the pathology pavilion, gastro-liver centre and a 50-bed ICU unit at the hospital.

After the inauguration, she visited ICU patients, inquired about their treatment and discussed service quality with officials. She urged doctors to ensure the highest level of care for patients.

The event was chaired by Director of Kurmitola General Hospital Brig Gen Md Saidur Rahman. Among others, Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon, State Minister for Public Administration Md Abdul Bari, State Minister for Health Dr MA Muhit, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Health SM Ziauddin Haidar, Health Services Division Secretary Md Kamruzzaman Chowdhury, BNP Dhaka-17 election committee Joint Coordinator Prof Dr Farhad Halim Donar, Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services Prof Dr Prabhat Chandra Biswas and Director General of the Directorate General of Health Education Prof Dr Nazmul Hossain also spoke.

Speaking at the event, Health Minister Sardar Sakhawat Husain said the presence of Dr Zubaida Rahman reflects accountability and would inspire hope among people. He said the prime minister aims to establish a new political culture based on accountability.

He described “health for all” as a key challenge for the government and said such engagements are part of efforts to shape a new political direction.

Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon expressed hope that Bangladesh will see significant improvements in the quality of health services under the current government. He said visible steps have already been taken in this regard.

Referring to past achievements, he said agricultural reforms during the tenure of late President Ziaur Rahman boosted food production and made Bangladesh self-sufficient. He added that similar progress in health and education sectors would be a major success.

Hospital Director Brig Gen Saidur Rahman said the new ICU unit is equipped with modern facilities, trained staff and round-the-clock services, ensuring better and faster treatment for critically ill patients, reports UNB.