PM Orders Pilot Project for National e-Health Platform

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 and bring healthcare services under an integrated digital framework.

The directive was given 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, said Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu.

Initially, the platform will be tested in several districts to assess its effectiveness, identify potential challenges and determine its cost and feasibility. The government plans to gradually expand the system after reviewing the pilot project’s results.

Tarique Rahman instructed the authorities to ensure effective use of information technology in healthcare so that people can access medical services more easily and conveniently.

He stressed the need for secure storage of patients’ health information and ensuring that relevant doctors and healthcare institutions can access necessary data when required.

The prime minister also emphasised data security and privacy, directing that the platform be user-friendly, cost-effective and sustainable in the long term.

He instructed the authorities to conduct a proper assessment of the pilot project before proceeding with further expansion.

Engineer Zakaria Swapan made a presentation on various 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.