Additional Tk 41bn allocated for free treatment of poor

The government has proposed an additional allocation of Tk 41.66 billion in the upcoming 2025-26 budget to provide free medical treatment for the poor.

Alongside, Tk 10 billion has been earmarked for the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), aimed at strengthening the country’s vaccination drive.

The proposed budget also extends the existing duty and tax exemptions on the import of raw materials for the pharmaceutical industry, a move expected to support local drug manufacturers.

Overall, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is set to receive Tk 419.08 billion in the new fiscal year—an increase of Tk 5.01 billion from the Tk 414.07 billion allocated in 2024-25.

In his budget speech on Monday, Finance Advisor Salehuddin Ahmed said, “Special emphasis has been placed on expanding service coverage, developing infrastructure, and recruiting skilled manpower to ensure universal healthcare for all citizens by 2030.

“The recruitment of doctors, nurses, technicians, pharmacists and health assistants has been accelerated to fill vacant posts.

“A comprehensive plan has been adopted to create necessary posts.”

The finance advisor said the government has taken necessary training initiatives for caregivers.

He also mentioned a PhD course in nursing education, along with the establishment of a nurse teacher training centre to provide training on international standards.

The budget proposes to reduce customs and taxes on the import of machinery and equipment for the establishment of all hospitals with more than 50 beds, in addition to referral hospitals.

The government has also proposed to expand the customs and tax exemption facility for the import of raw materials for all types of pharmaceutical industries, including anti-cancer drugs, and the import of raw materials to manufacture Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API).

Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries Secretary General Dr Md Zakir Hossain told bdnews24.com, “This facility in the pharmaceutical industry was supposed to end. Its extension will benefit Bangladeshi patients a lot.

“This facility is scheduled to be provided until 2030.

“If highly sophisticated cancer drugs are manufactured in Bangladesh, the price is cut down to 25 to 30 percent. It will bring great relief to cancer patients.

“Since cancer treatment lasts a long time, patients need to take various types of medication.

“If we receive tax benefits on the raw materials used in medicine production, we will be able to compete with any multinational company.”