Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has diverted Tk 15 crore, allocated for the procurement of vehicles for her office, to the cause of people's healthcare services.

"An amount of Tk 15 crore was allocated for the procurement of motor vehicles for the Prime Minister's Office in 2021-2022 fiscal year. But the money has been diverted to the cause of people's healthcare services at the directive of the prime minister," said PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim.

He said the prime minister is giving utmost importance to public healthcare amid the Covid-19 situation. So, she cancelled the allocation of vehicle procurement and directed the authorities concerned to spend the money on public healthcare, he added.

In order to ensure the healthcare services for people during the pandemic time, the PM has taken many steps, including recruitment of doctors and health workers, enhancing health infrastructure and equipment facilities, increasing ICUs, increasing hospital capacity, providing incentives for health workers and providing free Covid-19 vaccines to people, Karim said.

Hasina has made a special allocation for the public health services. "In addition to those regular arrangements, many more people will be benefited as the money allocated for PMO vehicle procurement would be spent on the healthcare service," he said.

Mohd Ahsan Kibria Siddiqui, director general (administration) of PMO, yesterday sent a letter to the authorities concerned to execute the PM's directive.