DHAKA: A total of Tk 12,726 crore has been proposed for the Heath and Family welfare sector in the proposed budget for 2015-16 Fiscal Year.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith made the proposal before the parliament while placing the budget on Thursday.

Muhith said, “We are planning to distribute 13 thousand 861 mini laptops among the community clinics to bring our slogan ‘A Mini Laptop will be a Digital Doctor’ into fruition.”

He also said that we have undertaken a program to provide health services through mobile phones in 64 districts and 418 upazila hospitals. Side by side, district and upazila health complexes will continue to provide health services through video conferencing.

Maternal Health Voucher Scheme for the poor, distressed and pregnant mothers is in operation in 53 upazilas, he added.

“We are aiming at raising average life expectancy to 72 years by 2021. At the same time, we will be trying to provide easy access to reproductive health service delivery system to reduce the birth rate”, Muhith also said.

He further said that the government is working to integrate and update different amendments to make Drug Control Ordinance, 1982, Drug Act, 1940, and Drug Rules, 1945 and 1946 time befitting.

BDST: 1929 HRS, JUNE 04, 2015
BD/RS/SMS