Remain alert against those out on killing mission: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today urged all to remain alert against the anti-liberation forces who are now out on a killing mission to undermine Bangladesh globally.

The premier said this while inaugurating the fourth conference of the Swadhinata Chikitshok Parishad (Shachip) at historic Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital.

"Those who didn't want the country's liberation, who didn't believe in the country's liberation, who did nothing for the country's development when they were in power are now trying to destroy Bangladesh's image through carrying out killings," she said.

Hasina, also president of the ruling Awami League, said the people of the country have to face manmade calamities apart of the natural ones because of them.

She mentioned that the BNP-Jamaat nexus unleashed killings and destroyed property through arson attacks in 2013 and 2015 in the name of a movement to foil the last general election and demanding a fresh one.

"And now they've started secret killings realising that killing local people they cannot oust the government. So, they're now targeting foreign nationals to destroy the government's image," Hasina told her audience.

Without mentioning any name, the AL chief said these incidents are taking place at a time when Bangladesh has been the role model of development in the world and its economy is progressing fast putting its feet on a solid ground.

Hasina said her government has been working to develop the country with the Liberation War spirit saying that the country got its independence through a nine-month long war under the Father of the Nation's leadership.

Referring to the historic 7th March of Bangabandhu which he delivered at the Sahruwady Udyan, the prime minister said, no one could suppress the Bangalees though the country had faced manmade disasters occasionally.

Following Bangabandhu's footsteps, the prime minister said her government also implemented many programmes to reach improved and quality healthcare system to the doorsteps of people.

Hasina said the physicians will have to serve their patients, including the poor ones, with the service-providing attitude and good behaviour saying that half of the problems could be cured with only good behaviour and attitude.

She said they will have to serve the autistic and disable patients as well with a sympathetic attitude and special care.

The premier said her daughter, Saima Hossain, who is an Autism Specialist played a significant role in creating global awareness on autism and the issue got a new dimension at the international stage.

Listing the massive development achieved in the health sector by her government, Hasina said many big general and specialised hospitals have been set up in the country during the last couple of years while 10, 662 new beds have been set up in different hospitals.

Besides, the number of beds in the district and upazila hospitals has been increased by many folds, while free health services being provided through cellphones and telemedicine system have been introduced at different hospitals, she said.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University has been established by the Awami league-led government, Hasina said adding that steps have been taken to develop it as a centre of excellence.

Hasina said an announcement has already been made to establish two more medical universities -- one in Chittagong and another in Rajshahi -- to further improve the health sector where priorities would be given on research.

She said 16,000 community clinics and health care centres are currently functioning across the country from where 32 types of medicines are provided to poor people free of costs.

She regretted that BNP-Jamaat ally closed these community clinics and healthcare centres while they were in power during the 2001-2006 period, as these had been introduced by the Awami League led government.

The prime minister said the government would formulate a law to introduce a system like formation of trust fund so that community clinics could never be closed even if the government is changed.

Hasina said 345 new medical educational institutes, 42 new medical colleges, including 16 government and five army medical colleges as well as 19 dental colleges, 22 nursing institutes and 37 nursing colleges have been set up across the country.

Over 6,000 physicians have been recruited through the 33rd BCS examinations, nearly 12,800 assistant surgeons and 118 dental surgeons have been appointed while creation of new posts of 10,000 nurses is at the final stage, the Prime Minister said.

She asserted that Bangladesh would become a high middle-income country by 2021 and a rich and developed one by 2041.

Chaired by Shachip President and former Minister Prof Dr AFM Ruhul Haque, the function was addressed, among others, by Health Minister Mohammad Nasim, Public Administration Minister Syed Ashraful Islam, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Health Ministry Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, State Minister Jahid Malek and PM's former Adviser Prof Dr Syed Modasser Ali also spoke on the occasion.