Insulin to be free of cost for diabetic patients in future: health minister

Steps are underway to provide diabetic patients with free insulin at government hospitals in the future, said Health Minister Zahid Maleque said today.

"Diabetic patients currently receive free medical treatment at all government hospitals." said the minister while addressing a roundtable discussion on "Diabetes Treatment: Present and Future Thoughts".

The discussion was organised by the Non-Communicable Disease Control Program (NCDC) of the Health Department and Diabetic Association of Bangladesh (BADAS) on the occasion of World Diabetes Day.

"At least 61 percent people in the country suffer from different health problems due to non-communicable diseases. Diabetes is one of those diseases that affect the human body silently," he said.

Referring to a survey, he also said that only 12 percent of the people in the country now have diabetes.

Meanwhile, about covid vaccine procurement, the minister said so far 21 crore doses of vaccine have been purchased. Of this, about 11 crore doses have arrived in the country. About four crores more doses will arrive by November.

Diabetic Association of Bangladesh (BADAS) president Prof AK Azad Khan, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Vice-Chancellor Prof Sharfuddin Ahmed, were present at the meeting, among others.