Health minister says Upazila health complexes lack funds even for bandages, syringes

Many 250-bed hospitals under construction also suffer major planning issues, the minister tells parliament

Health Minister Sardar Sakhawat Hossain Bakul has accused previous governments of “plundering” the health sector, claiming Upazila health complexes lack even basic funds to purchase gauze, bandages, and syringes.

Speaking in parliament on Sunday, in response to a question from Gaibandha-4 MP Mohammad Shamim Kaiser, the minister said decades of mismanagement have left no funds for developmental work.

“The 250-bed hospitals currently under construction also show major flaws in planning,” he said.

“In some, engineers placed bathrooms at entrances, leaving areas inaccessible and filled with foul odours. Hastily executed projects were started purely to siphon money.”

The session, convened after a 13-day Eid and holiday recess, began at 3pm under Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal with Quran recitation.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Opposition leader Shafiqur Rahman attended.

The day’s agenda included a one-hour question-and-answer session, key national notices, and debate on the president’s address.

The minister highlighted that Upazila health complexes currently have no operational funds.

“We lack money even for gauze, bandages, and syringes. Previous interim governments’ limited resources have also been exhausted.”

He added that he had discussed the crisis with the premiere two to three times.

“After the next budget, we will gradually allocate resources to ensure essential health services reach people in every Upazila, within our limited means.”

Bakul also traced the sector’s decline to mismanagement during past governments and the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus before the 13th Parliament restored full governance under BNP.