DHAKA, Jan 19, 2023 (BSS) - Lawmakers today urged the government to launch 'health insurance' aiming to facilitate free healthcare service to the poor.
The government led by the ruling Awami League(AL) although has enforced various programmes for the poor people and the government should to implement health insurance for the poor, they said while taking part in the discussion on thanksgiving motion of the President's speech at the Jatiya Sangsad here with Deputy Speaker Shamsul Haque Tuku in the chair.
Taking part in the discussion, the lawmakers highlighted different development activities in various sectors including communication, socio-economic, education, youth and sports, information and communication technology (ICT) under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The President in his 168-page speech on January 5 last, on the first day of the maiden session in 2023 of the 11th parliament, focused on the country's massive successes in different sectors.
"The government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has taken various initiatives for the health sector ....the government should introduce health insurance for the poor so that the lower income people and extreme poor people get free treatment easily for critical diseases", said Major (retd) Rafiqul Islam of Chandpur-5.
The poor people usually unable to afford treatment for critical diseases as they have to lose everything for getting such expensive treatment, said the lawmaker.
"We hope the country will become a militant and corruption free smart Bangladesh before the stipulated timeframe of 2041 under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina", said Dr AFM Ruhul Haque of Satkhira-3.
Participating in the discussion, Shirin Akhter of Feni-1 said BNP-Jammat clique is trying to create impediment against the ongoing development, adding, "We could not resolve 50 years long problem with Pakistan due to their heinous conspiracy".
Opposing the activities of BNP-Jammat, the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal lawmaker said they are staging movement demanding for democracy which is absurd as the country has democracy and that's why they are getting privilege of staging movement.
Earlier, the chief whip Nur-E Alam Chowdhury came up with a proposal for holding discussion on thanksgiving motion of the President's speech in the House and then it was seconded by treasury bench lawmaker Shamsul Huq Tuku.
Treasury bench lawmakers including Abdus Salam Murshedi of Khulna-4, Tahzeeb Alam Siddique of Jhenaidah-2, Adiba Anjum Mita of women seat-37, Mahfuzur Rahman of Chattogram-3, M A Matin of Kurigram-3, Md. Aftab Uddin Sarker of Nilphamari-1, Md. Zillul Hakim of Rajbari-2 and Tanvir Shakil Joy of Sirajganj-1, attended the discussion.
The lawmakers also thanked the President for giving a timely speech highlighting the success stories of the government and guiding the nation towards peace, progress and prosperity.
Earlier, they paid a rich tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for his contribution to establishing an independent Bangladesh.