PM inaugurates community vision centres in 20 upazilas

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the government will take effective steps to increase the number of specialist physicians to provide better medical services in the country.

“We'll take steps to produce more specialist physicians in all the fields of medical services, including ophthalmology and ENT,” she said.

The prime minister said this while inaugurating Community Vision Centres in 20 upazilas of eight districts centring Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Eye Hospital and Training Institute in Gopalganj through a videoconference from her official residence Gono Bhaban, aiming to provide better ophthalmological (eye care) services for local people.

Hasina said the government has established one medical university in Dhaka while three more will be set up in Chittagong, Rajshahi and Sylhet as its aim is to establish one medical university in each divisional headquarters.

Besides, the prime minister said, her government is setting up medical colleges across the country to provide healthcare services at people's doorsteps.

Hasina said the government will produce expert physicians through training.

She also said the government has taken an initiative to groom nurses through proper training, alongside providing training to physicians as it is the duty of the government to provide services to people.

“Power is not a matter of enjoyment to me; it's a matter of performing duty and responsibility,” she said.

The prime minister announced that there will a separate fund for the Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Eye Hospital and Training Institute in Gopalganj to provide medical services to the ultra-poor.

She announced a Tk 20 crore donation from PM's Relief and Welfare Fund in this connection. “The interest that will come from this money will be used for the eye-related treatment of the ultra-poor across the country.”

Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammad Nasim, State Minister Zahid Maleque and former adviser to the prime minister Prof Dr Syed Modasser Ali also spoke at the programme.