Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has inaugurated Community Vision Centres in 20 upazilas of eight districts aiming to provide better ophthalmological services among the local people.
She inaugurated the community vision centres, centring Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Eye Hospital and Training Institute in Gopalganj, through a videoconference from her official residence Ganobhaban in the capital on Wednesday morning.
Sheikh Hasina said the government will take effective steps to create more specialist physicians to provide better medical services in the country.
The Prime Minister said, "We'll take steps so that specialist physicians are created in all the fields of medical services, including ophthalmology and ENT (Otorhinolaryngology)."
Hasina said the government has established one medical university in Dhaka. The government will also set up three more medical universities in Chattogram, Rajshahi and Sylhet.
She informed that the government has aim to establish one medical university in all the divisional headquarters, reports UNB.
Besides, the Prime Minister said, her government is setting up medical colleges across the country to provide healthcare services at the door steps of people.
Hasina said the government will create expert physicians through giving them training.
She also said the government has taken an initiative to groom nurses through proper training alongside providing training to physicians as it is the duty of the government to provide services to people.
"Power is not a matter of enjoyment to me; it's a matter of performing duty and responsibility to me. So, I want to perform my duty," she said.
Mentioning that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman liberated the country, Hasina said. "I always keep that in my mind, so it is my first duty to serve people."
The Prime Minister announced that there will a separate fund for the Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Eye Hospital and Training Institute in Gopalganj to provide medical services to the ultra-poor.
She announced to donate Tk 200 million from PM's Relief and Welfare Fund in this connection.
"The interest that will come from this money will be used for the eye-related treatment of the ultra-poor across the country," said the prime minister.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammad Nasim, State Minister Zahid Maleque and former Adviser to the Prime Minister Prof Dr Syed Modasser Ali also spoke at the programme.