Prime Minister conveyed his expectation that current and prospective medical professionals will help transform the landscape by fostering reliance on national practitioners, asking, “Why can’t we change this situation? Why can’t we strengthen our people’s trust and confidence in our doctors?
Medical Reporter : Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has urged Bangladeshi physicians to earn patient trust and halt a massive $5 billion financial drain caused by citizens seeking medical treatment abroad. Speaking at a medical convention, the PM stressed that local healthcare facilities must elevate their service standards and empathy to retain patients. He noted that reversing this multi-billion dollar outbound medical tourism trend is critical to protecting the country’s foreign currency reserves and building a self-reliant healthcare ecosystem.
He emphasized that such a systemic shift cannot be accomplished solely via legislation or institutional reforms without the active dedication of the medical community. Speaking in his capacity as a political worker entrusted with governance, Prime Minister conveyed his expectation that current and prospective medical professionals will help transform the landscape by fostering reliance on national practitioners, asking, “Why can’t we change this situation? Why can’t we strengthen our people’s trust and confidence in our doctors?… It is only possible through your humane approach and proper treatment.”
He added, “On the occasion of this anniversary, I have one expectation not only from DMC, but from every hospital and every medical college in Bangladesh—from all doctors and medical students. I hope that, in the future, the people of this country will have complete trust and confidence in our doctors.”Detailing fiscal priorities, the Prime Minister noted that the administration has earmarked the highest-ever budgetary allocation for the health sector in the current national budget, alongside a roadmap to expand health expenditure to 5% of GDP across the next five years.
He highlighted tax and duty reductions implemented on essential medical gear and supplies—such as dialysis filters, heart valves, pacemakers, oxygenators, peripheral vascular stents, radiofrequency ablation catheters, intraocular lenses, and raw ingredients for cancer medications—designed to ease out-of-pocket expenses for families. To decentralize care, the government plans to elevate 51-bed upazila hospitals into 101-bed facilities, pointing out that only five upazilas currently maintain 100-bed hospitals despite over 70% of the populace residing rurally, with upgraded centers slated to receive battery-backed solar power systems for continuous emergency operations.
Turning to hygiene and civic duty, the PM underscored the necessity of proper medical waste disposal and facility cleanliness, urging personnel, students, and doctors to share communal stewardship for maintaining tidy environments rather than depending exclusively on janitorial teams. Referencing the example set by Japanese football fans who independently cleaned World Cup stadiums, he remarked, “We all have a responsibility to keep our hospitals clean. A modern building alone is not enough; we must also ensure a clean and healthy environment.”
He also pointed to ongoing initiatives designed to advance medical research, technology, and international-standard training over time.Sharing a poignant personal reflection, the Prime Minister acknowledged the untiring, compassionate care administered by doctors to his late mother and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia until her passing, noting that no sum of money could have purchased such sincere devotion abroad.
Later, he joined an interactive panel in the auditorium titled “DMCians’ Thoughts on the Modernisation of Bangladesh’s Healthcare System” to field inquiries from alumni and students, promising gradual solutions to raised concerns and expressing optimism that negative press regarding the medical sector will diminish. The day’s events began with the Prime Minister launching the anniversary festivities by releasing balloons and pigeons on campus alongside his wife and former DMC student Dr Zubaida Rahman, planting an Arjun tree and a Neem tree, accepting commemorative portraits, and viewing a retrospective documentary detailing the institution’s legacy.
PM Inaugurates DMC Day 2026 Marking 80th Anniversary
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated DMC Day-2026 on Saturday, marking the 80th founding anniversary and the institution stepping into its 81st year of Dhaka Medical College (DMC). The Prime Minister formally opened the celebration at 10 am by releasing balloons and pigeons on the college campus, accompanied by his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman, a former student of Dhaka Medical College.
As part of the programme, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Dr Zubaida Rahman, who serves as Vice-President of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation, planted two saplings—an Arjun tree and a Neem tree—on the college premises. Following the tree plantation, a munajat was offered to seek eternal peace for the souls of those martyred during the July Movement.
Subsequently, Health Engineering Department Chief Engineer Brigadier General Mir Sarwar Hossain Chowdhury briefed the Prime Minister regarding the construction of two female dormitories at Dhaka Medical College, part of an overarching project to build 19 modern hostel buildings for students. The Prime Minister displayed a keen interest in the project, requesting detailed information about the facilities slated for students in the new hostel buildings.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by prominent figures including Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain, State Minister for Health Dr M A Muhit, the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Health Dr S M Ziauddin Haider, the Prime Minister’s Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman, Health Services Secretary Md Kamruzzaman Chowdhury, BNP Health Affairs Secretary Prof Dr Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, DAB President Prof Dr Harun Al Rashid, Directorate General of Medical Education Director General Prof Dr Nazmul Hossain, and Directorate General of Health Services Director General Prof Dr Pravath Chandra Biswas.
Dhaka Medical College and Hospital originally commenced its journey on July 10, 1946, housed at the then Secretariat building and the Faculty of Arts of the University of Dhaka. The institution observes DMC Day annually to commemorate its founding, with this year marking eight decades since its inception.
