AL devoted for welfare, not vote: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said her party is devoted for welfare of the people out of its political commitment, not only for getting their vote.

“We’re committed to the welfare of the people… power is not a matter of pleasure and luxury for us. It’s our duty and we have learned it from Father of the Nation,” she said.

“It’s the right of the people to whom they will give vote. We never bring this in our consideration when we do work for them,” she said.

The prime minister said this while inaugurating Community Vision Centers in 20 upazilas of eight districts surrounding Bagamata Sheikh Fazilatun Nesa Mujib Eye Hospital and Training Institute of Gopalgonj district today.

Sheikh Hasina said healthcare is a basic right of the people. Bangabandhu had tried to reach the service to the people through establishing a 10-bed hospital in each village after liberation.

The government is making constant stride to reach the healthcare services to the doorstep of the people as well as giving them with a better and modern service, she said.

Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the Centers through a video conference from her Gonobhaban residence and exchanged views with the beneficiaries, doctors and local administrative officials.

State Minister for health Zahid Malik, MP and PM’s former advisor Dr Syed Modasser Ali also spoke on the occasion. Secretary of the health division Sirajul Haque Khan gave a presentation on different aspects of the project.

Health Minister Mohammad Nasim, and noted eye specialist Deen Mohammad Noorul Huq, chairman of Aravind Eye Hospital of Mumbai, India RD Ravindran spoke on the occasion from other side of the video conference at Bagamata Sheikh Fazilatun Nesa Mujib Eye Hospital and Training Institute at Gopalgonj district.

Sheikh Hasina said the Community Vision Centers would play an epoch making role in providing services concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases in southern parts of the country.

Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatun Nesa Mujib Eye Hospital and Training Institute of Gopalgonj would give referral services to the critical patients of the Community Vision Centers of the nearby districts.

Sheikh Hasina announced establishment of a Taka 20 crore fund for treatment of the poor eye patients saying such eye care services would be expanded all over the country gradually.