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Prof Wahiduddin Mahmud, former planning adviser to the interim government, criticised the Ministry of Health for failing to understand actual demand and execute projects.

“Even though the budget for health is relatively small, the authorities are often unable to spend it. This indicates a profound lack of institutional capacity,” he said.

Prof Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, the prime minister’s adviser on finance and planning, said the government views healthcare not merely as a service but as a fundamental right.

“While there is often a trade-off in resource allocation, our rights-based approach compels us to prioritise essential care,” he said.

According to him, the government is considering mandating at least three critical services across all 250-bed hospitals: cardiac coronary units (CCUs) to address rising heart-related emergencies, kidney dialysis to ensure accessible treatment for chronic kidney disease, and complex gynaecological and obstetric care to safeguard maternal health.

“To prevent waste and enhance efficiency, we are introducing the e-Health Card project. Digitalising health records will streamline service delivery,” the PM’s adviser also said.

Nutrition programmes are also central to the government’s strategy, as unaddressed deficiencies place the wider healthcare system under continued strain, he added.