Govt working to tackle inherited power, energy crisis: PM

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday said his government has inherited deep-rooted problems in the power and energy sector, including the fallout from poorly planned policies and decisions taken in the past to benefit particular groups.

He said the government has already begun addressing the problems and is working on a proper plan to gradually bring the country and its people out of the energy crisis, including difficulties related to fuel and gas supplies.

“We have never denied that many people are currently facing difficulties over electricity and gas supplies,” Tarique said while addressing a doctors’ rally marking the 37th founding anniversary of the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) at the LD Hall premises of the Jatiya Sangsad.

The prime minister also accused a group of attempting to create instability in the power and energy sectors by spreading various misleading claims.

He said the government inherited a fragile state marked by a weak economy, a divided administration and struggling education and healthcare systems, and is working to put the country back on its feet.

Tarique also alleged that vested interests that benefited from “fascism” remained active in the country’s politics, governance and administration.

Turning to healthcare, the prime minister urged doctors to ensure that political involvement does not interfere with their professional responsibilities or the delivery of patient care.

“Political involvement should never become a reason for failing to perform professional duties. This is most important,” he said.

He said it was natural for students, teachers and professionals to remain politically aware or organised according to their beliefs in a democratic country, as political decisions affect almost every aspect of public life. However, he stressed that political involvement must not come in the way of professional duties.

Tarique said there was a growing demand across the country for qualitative changes in politics, with people seeking to move beyond traditional political practices and bring changes across different sectors, particularly since August 5.

He also stressed the importance of disease prevention and said the government plans to recruit another 100,000 health workers to raise public awareness about basic healthcare and disease prevention.

He said the new health workers would require proper training to carry out their responsibilities effectively.

The prime minister urged doctors at all levels, from upazila and district hospitals to divisional and central facilities, to work with the government to improve the healthcare system.

“Without your cooperation, support and help, it will not be possible for the government to implement these plans,” he said.

Tarique said the government had allocated the second-highest budget ever for the health sector as part of efforts to modernise and strengthen healthcare. It is also working to introduce universal health coverage and has taken steps to bring every upazila health complex under the system, he said.

He, however, stressed that better infrastructure alone would not guarantee success unless doctors remained committed to serving patients.

“If doctors do not dedicate themselves to their profession with a spirit of service, infrastructure development alone will not bring success,” he said.

Acknowledging that doctors often work under difficult conditions, Tarique said negligence or laxity in some cases could undermine public confidence in both the government and the healthcare system.

“People expect doctors to play a more responsible and humane role,” he said.

He called for collective efforts to build a healthcare-friendly Bangladesh where every citizen can receive quality medical treatment and people no longer need to travel abroad for advanced care.

Earlier, Tarique and his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman planted two saplings on the LD Hall premises before the rally. Tarique then hoisted the national flag as the national anthem was played, while he and Zubaida later inaugurated the rally by releasing pigeons and balloons.

Two papers—“Bangladesh’s health sector: From crisis to solution” and “The rise of the national health system”—were presented at the event by Dr Mostafa Adib Suman and Saif Mohammad respectively.

DAB President Prof Harun Al Rashid chaired the programme.

Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Zubaida Rahman, Women and Children Affairs Minister Prof AZM Zahid Hossain, Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain, State Minister MA Muhit, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant for Health SM Ziauddin Haider and DAB Secretary General Zahirul Islam Shakil also addressed the gathering.