BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said the party's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is the future prime minister of Bangladesh.
He made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the national conference of the pro-BNP physicians body Doctors' Association of Bangladesh (DAB) at Willes Little Flower School and College in the capital.
"Our future leader, our future helmsman, our future prime minister is here today (virtually joined on screen). I would like to draw his attention to one issue. He must give utmost importance to the healthcare sector," he stated.
Addressing the participating doctors at the council, Fakhrul said, "We must move away from slogan-based politics. Please, let's leave that behind"
He said I believe that providing healthcare to 180 million people in this country is a massive responsibility.
Criticizing the current government's Assistant Adviser to the Ministry of Health's new amendments in the existing national drug policy, Fakhrul said, "We must address the issues. Our pharmaceutical industry was once competing globally, exporting abroad. Now, the manufacturers are saying they may have to shut down their factories. In other words, the policies of this government have become such threating."
He added that the 31-point proposal put forward by Tarique Rahman has the potential to bring about significant change in the country's health sector and other areas.
"In Bangladesh, it's not just about establishing a democratic system and voting rights. It's about ensuring people's right to health, right to live, and all other fundamental rights," he continued.
Referring to the July movement, Fakhrul said many doctors were obstructed from providing medical aid to the injured and faced consequences for doing so.
"I want to thank those who took the risk to treat the injured at that time, the nation will never forget this," he further said.
Fakhrul requested to the interim government to provide necessary medical care to all those injured in the July movement.
While requesting not to equate DAB with other organisations, he mentioned, "You are serving the people. At the same time, you are helping shape the future of this country and assisting political leadership in formulating health policy."
Recalling his own sickness while in prison, Fakhrul said, "When I fell seriously ill in Kashimpur Jail and was referred to PG Hospital (now Bangladesh Medical University) by the prison authorities, I was kept in a wheelchair all day in front of the director's office. They didn't even have the courtesy to let me go inside and receive treatment."
"While the former government did not permit my treatment abroad, we had to file three writ petitions to the Supreme Court seeking a medical board. Eventually we managed to go abroad for treatment. We have created a culture of mutual hatred and vengeance, which is destroying us," he added.
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