They are on a killing mission

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged people to remain alert against the anti-liberation forces that are "out on a killing mission to undermine Bangladesh globally".

"Those who didn't want the country's freedom, didn't believe in its liberation, did nothing for its development when they were in power are now trying to tarnish Bangladesh's image by carrying out killings," she told the fourth conference of Swadhinata Chikitsak Parishad (Swachip) in the capital's Suhrawardy Udyan.

Hasina, also the Awami League president, said the BNP-Jamaat committed killings and destroyed property by carrying out arson attacks in 2013 and 2015 in the name of movements to foil the last general election and demanding a fresh one.

"And now they've started secret killings realising that they can't oust the government by killing local people. So they're now targeting foreigners to destroy the government's image," alleged the PM.

The AL chief said such incidents are taking place at a time when Bangladesh has become a role model in the world for development and its economy is progressing fast.

Referring to the historic 7th March speech of Bangabandhu which he had delivered at Suhrawardy Udyan, the premier said no one could suppress the Bangalees despite the country faced manmade disasters at times.

Hasina said following in Bangabandhu's footsteps, her government also implemented many programmes to reach improved and quality healthcare service on people's doorstep.

Physicians will have to serve their patients, including the poor ones, with a service-providing attitude and good behaviour. They will also have to serve the autistic and disabled patients with special care, she added.

The premier said her daughter, Saima Hossain, an autism specialist, played a significant role in creating global awareness on autism.

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 added to different hospitals, she mentioned.

Besides, the number of beds in the district and upazila hospitals has been increased manifold, patients are being offered free healthcare services through cellphones and telemedicine system has been introduced at different hospitals, said Hasina.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University was set up by a previous Awami league-led government. Steps have been taken to develop it as a centre of excellence, she noted.

The PM said an announcement has already been made to establish two more medical universities in Chittagong and Rajshahi to further improve the health sector by prioritising research.

She said 16,000 community clinics and healthcare centres are currently operating across the country from where 32 types of medicines are provided to poor patients free of cost.

She regretted that the then BNP-Jamaat government (2001-2006) had closed community clinics and healthcare centres as these had been introduced by an AL-led government.

She said her government would formulate a law to introduce a system like formation of a trust fund so that community clinics could never be closed even if there is a change in power.

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

Health Minister Mohammad Nasim and Public Administration Minister Syed Ashraful Islam addressed the function, chaired by Swachip President and former minister AFM Ruhal Haque.