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Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain on Thursday reaffirmed that ensuring primary healthcare for all citizens remains the government’s top priority, alongside efforts to deliver high-quality medical services nationwide.
Speaking at a discussion on expanding urban primary healthcare services at a hotel in the capital, the minister said the government is actively strengthening healthcare delivery at the upazila level and improving public health services with support from international organisations and development partners.
“We are working to enhance the quality and accessibility of healthcare across the country. Initiatives such as introducing kidney dialysis services at the upazila level are already underway,” he said.
The event, organised by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), highlighted evidence-based outcomes and lessons from the ‘Alo Clinic’ model, which is expected to guide future urban healthcare strategies.
Emphasising equitable access, the minister said no one should die due to lack of treatment.
“We are expanding healthcare coverage nationwide and planning to extend ambulance services so that patients in remote and hard-to-reach areas can be transported to advanced facilities,” he added.
Chaired by DGHS Director General Dr Pravath Chandra Biswas, the discussion was also addressed by Swedish Ambassador Nicolas Weeks and UNICEF Deputy Country Representative Emmanuelle Abrew.
Officials said that since 2021, six ‘Alo Clinics’ established in Dhaka North, Dhaka South, Gazipur and Narayanganj have been delivering free, integrated, and fully digital primary healthcare services under the national Essential Services Package (ESP++).
The clinics offer a wide range of services, including maternal, newborn and child healthcare, immunisation, nutrition screening, and disease diagnosis and treatment, serving an average of 168 patients daily.
Four of the facilities operate 24/7 midwife-led delivery centres, where more than 1,000 safe births have been recorded since January 2025.
The ‘Alo Clinic’ model has been developed and implemented by UNICEF in partnership with the Bangladesh government, with financial support from the Government of Sweden.