The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) has approved a substantial allocation of Tk3,422 crore for critical health initiatives, marking a significant step towards enhancing essential healthcare services, institutional capacity, and health education. This decision, made at the Ecnec meeting on November 10, chaired by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, underscores the government's commitment to improving the health sector's infrastructure and operations. The approved projects focus on completing unfinished activities from the Fourth Health Sector Programme and transitioning the health system to a project-based development structure. The total funding for these projects is Tk7,150.90 crore, all sourced domestically.
One of the key projects, the Implementation of Unfinished Essential Activities of the Fourth Sector Programme for Family Planning, Maternal, Child and Reproductive Health Services, is allocated Tk1,663.53 crore. This project aims to sustain crucial programmes that ensure universal health coverage, enhance maternal and child healthcare, and strengthen family planning and reproductive health services nationwide. Another significant initiative, the Implementation of Unfinished Essential Activities under PFD, HEF, IFM, HRD and SWPMM, receives Tk1,546.45 crore. This project supports the continuation of essential operational plans, including human resource development, institutional maintenance, and facility-based health service delivery, to maintain the momentum of previous sectoral programmes.
The third approved project, Integrated Development of Management Operations of the Directorate General of Health Education (DGME), NIPORT, and the Directorate of Nursing and Midwifery, is allocated Tk211.91 crore. This project aims to modernize medical, nursing, and midwifery education and ensure quality and affordable health and family planning services through improved institutional coordination. Since 1998, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has been implementing Sector Programmes to enhance efficiency, affordability, and coordination in the country's health system. The fourth programme, completed in June 2024, marked the end of this framework. However, officials noted that the sector programmes faced challenges, including overlapping activities and duplication of functions, prompting the government to transition to a regular project-based structure.
Under this transition, the Health, Population and Nutrition Sector Programme (HPNSP) will be gradually phased out, with its essential operational plans integrated into a permanent administrative structure. The newly approved projects are designed to ensure the continuity of vital services, reinforce collaboration between government and NGOs, and strengthen public-private partnerships and inter-sectoral coordination. Officials anticipate that these projects will contribute to reducing maternal and infant mortality and increasing the rate of institutional deliveries. Additionally, the ECNEC meeting approved 12 other development projects worth Tk7,150.90 crore, all financed from domestic resources, including infrastructure improvements in Manikganj and Satkhira, small irrigation development in Kishoreganj and Netrokona, and the expansion of Gazipur Agricultural University. The committee also approved the establishment of engineering colleges in Chattogram, Khulna, Rajshahi, and Rangpur divisions.
However, the proposed 'Land Registration Management Automation' project under the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, estimated at Tk632.69 crore, was deferred for further review. Chief Adviser Yunus instructed that the proposal be restructured in coordination with the Ministry of Land and other relevant agencies before resubmission.
