Representational Image.

SANGSAD BHABAN, June 11, 2026 (BSS) - The government has announced plans to 
establish modern primary healthcare units in every union and urban ward 
across the country as part of a major shift towards prevention-focused 
healthcare services.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury disclosed the initiative while 
placing the national budget for FY2026-27 in Parliament today.

He said the programme was being implemented in line with the BNP government's 
electoral commitments and would serve as a cornerstone of efforts to 
transform the country's healthcare system.

"Consistent with the commitments made in the electoral manifesto, we have 
formulated plans to establish one modern primary healthcare unit in each 
union and one or more in each ward of urban areas throughout Bangladesh, and 
implementation is already underway," he said.

According to the minister, the facilities will function as accessible, 
affordable and prevention-focused healthcare centres for the public.

Each primary healthcare unit will be supported by three community-level 
health service centres or community clinics, from where trained community 
health workers will provide preventive healthcare counselling, maternal and 
child health services, nutrition support and essential healthcare services at 
the grassroots level.

Khosru said the government aims to transform Bangladesh's healthcare system 
from a treatment-centred model to a prevention-centred one by strengthening 
primary healthcare, promoting disease prevention and ensuring early detection 
of diseases.

He said the initiative would help reduce dependence on overcrowded hospitals, 
lower healthcare costs and significantly cut out-of-pocket expenditure for 
ordinary citizens.

The minister also informed parliament that 192 unused properties under the 
Local Government Division had already been transferred to the Ministry of 
Health and Family Welfare and would gradually be developed into modern 
primary healthcare units.

"These centres will be operated under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) 
model to ensure efficient management, quality service and swift programme 
implementation," he added.

The government believes the initiative will improve healthcare accessibility 
at the community level and contribute to building a more affordable, 
accountable and people-oriented healthcare system.

The primary healthcare expansion programme is one of the key initiatives 
outlined in the proposed FY2026-27 budget. The government has earmarked Taka 
69,409 crore for the health sector, up from the revised Taka 35,477 crore 
allocation in FY2025-26, as it seeks to strengthen preventive and community-
based healthcare services.
 
The finance minister today unveiled a Taka 9.38 lakh crore national budget 
for FY2026-27, his first budget as finance minister. The proposed budget is 
around 19 percent higher than the original Taka 7.90 lakh crore budget for 
the current fiscal year and aims to stabilise the economy, accelerate growth 
and strengthen public services.