PM Asks Doctors to Build Trust, Reduce $5bn Outflow

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today spoke as the chief guest at the DMC auditorium on the occasion of the 81st founding anniversary of the college.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday urged doctors to earn people's trust through compassionate care, professionalism and quality treatment, saying stronger confidence in the country's healthcare system could help prevent an annual outflow of nearly US$5 billion spent on medical treatment abroad.

"Every year, around US$5 billion leaves the country as thousands of our people travel overseas for treatment. As a result, we also lose valuable foreign exchange," he said while addressing the inaugural ceremony of DMC Day-2026, marking the 80th anniversary of Dhaka Medical College (DMC).

The Prime Minister said reversing the trend would require more than policy reforms or stronger institutions and stressed that doctors have a crucial role to play in restoring public confidence in the country's healthcare system.

"As a political worker entrusted with the responsibility of running the government, I expect both practising physicians and future doctors to help change this situation by strengthening people's trust in our doctors and healthcare services," he said.

Questioning why Bangladeshis continue to seek treatment abroad, Tarique said the answer lies in ensuring quality healthcare and a humane approach to patient care.

"Why can't we change this situation? Why can't we strengthen people's trust and confidence in our doctors? It is possible through your humane attitude and proper treatment," he told doctors, medical teachers and students.

On the occasion of the college's anniversary, the Prime Minister expressed hope that every hospital and medical college in the country would work to build public confidence in the healthcare system.

He said the government had allocated the highest-ever budget for the health sector in the current national budget and planned to increase health expenditure to five percent of GDP over the next five years.

The government has also reduced taxes and duties on a range of essential medical equipment and supplies, including dialysis filters, heart valves, pacemakers, oxygenators, peripheral vascular stents, radiofrequency ablation catheters, intraocular lenses and raw materials used to manufacture cancer medicines.

According to the Prime Minister, the measures are expected to reduce treatment costs and ease the financial burden on patients, as most healthcare expenses in Bangladesh are still paid out of pocket.

Highlighting plans to improve healthcare services outside major cities, he said the government would upgrade 51-bed upazila hospitals to 101-bed facilities.

He noted that only five upazilas currently have 100-bed hospitals despite more than 70 percent of the country's population living in rural areas.

Tarique also announced that every upgraded upazila hospital would be equipped with solar power systems and battery storage to ensure uninterrupted electricity during surgeries and medical emergencies.

The Prime Minister stressed the importance of proper medical waste management and maintaining cleanliness in hospitals, urging doctors, students and healthcare workers to take shared responsibility instead of leaving the task solely to cleaning staff.

Drawing inspiration from Japan, he recalled how Japanese football fans cleaned stadiums after World Cup matches without being asked and encouraged Bangladeshis to develop a similar sense of civic responsibility.

"A modern hospital building alone is not enough. We must also ensure a clean and healthy environment," he said.

Tarique said the government had already launched initiatives to promote advanced medical research, modern technology and international-standard training, although meaningful progress would take time.

He also paid tribute to the doctors who cared for his late mother and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia during her illness, saying their dedication and compassion could not have been bought with money abroad.

Later, the Prime Minister joined an interactive session titled "DMCians' Thoughts on the Modernisation of Bangladesh's Healthcare System", where he exchanged views with current and former students of the college and assured them that the issues they raised would be addressed gradually.

Expressing optimism about the future of the health sector, he said he hoped negative perceptions about doctors and healthcare services would diminish as reforms took effect.

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister inaugurated DMC Day-2026 by releasing balloons and pigeons on the Dhaka Medical College campus. Accompanied by his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, a former student of the institution, he also planted two saplings—an Arjun tree and a Neem tree—on the campus. The couple later received paintings of Dhaka Medical College, while a documentary on the institution's history and contributions was screened during the programme.