State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr. M A Muhit addressed a discussion meeting as the chief guest at the CIRDAP auditorium in the capital on Sunday afternoon.Photo: BSS

DHAKA, June 14, 2026 (BSS) - State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr. M A Muhit has said the government aims to build a technology- and knowledge-based healthcare system through initiatives such as the E-Health Card, moving away from large infrastructure-focused projects.
 
Speaking at a discussion on the FY 2026-27 health budget, jointly organized by Bangladesh Health Watch and ARK Foundation at CIRDAP in Dhaka, he highlighted serious challenges in the health sector.
 
He noted that many healthcare facilities suffer from staff shortages, absenteeism, corruption and harassment by brokers and outsourcing personnel.
 
Dr. Muhit criticized excessive centralization and administrative inefficiencies, saying that Civil Surgeons have lost much of their authority as decision-making remains concentrated within the Directorate General of Health Services and the ministry.
 
He stressed the need to develop a new generation of Civil Surgeons and pursue decentralization to improve service delivery.
 
Addressing criticism over the pilot implementation of the E-Health Card programme in constituencies of ministers and secretaries, he said the locations were selected to ensure close supervision, rapid learning and smooth nationwide expansion.
 
The state minister also emphasized that Bangladesh now has the financial and intellectual capacity to address health-sector challenges without relying heavily on foreign grants or assistance.
 
Drawing on the expertise of local professionals, he said, the country can overcome existing obstacles regardless of political affiliation. He added that many citizens were surprised by the nearly doubled allocation for the health sector in the latest national budget.