Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Wednesday said her party will introduce health insurance for all in phases if her party returns to power.

The former prime minister made the remarks while unveiling her party's 256-point Vision-2030 at a crowded press conference at a capital Dhaka's hotel.

The BNP chairperson said, ‘Health for all will be BNP’s health policy. To make affordable health services easily accessible to all, universal health coverage will be introduced within the fastest possible time.’

The former prime minister said, ‘GP (General Practitioner) system shall be introduced to ensure cost-free health services to all the citizens. One doctor will be earmarked for every citizen. This will ensure universal health coverage on the one hand and create employment opportunities for the doctors on the other. 50 items of essential medicines will be distributed to the poor free of cost. An effective referral system will be developed. ‘

‘5% of GDP will be spent on the health sector. BNP’s objective is to turn Bangladesh intoa healthy developed nation through national health development by preventing corruption and irregularities in health sector,’ she said.

Khaleda Zia said the price of drugs will be reasonably reduced even after ensuring reasonable profit of producers, wholesalers and retailers. Domestic production of drugs, basic ingredients of drugs and medical equipment will be encouraged.

She said, ‘Developed medical facilities will be made easily accessible at the rural level through gradual expansion of developed medical facilities to the Division, District and Sub-District level. In order to make surgery facilities available at the sub-district level, special emphasis will be given on the creation of anesthetists and their posting in sub district health complex with pay incentive.’

She said, ‘At least quarter of a million new doctors and proportionate number of nurses and health technicians will be required to attain high medium income country-status by 2030.To achieve this goal,realistic and standard system shall be developed.’

Khaleda Zia said, ‘The doctors will be appointed on the basis of merit and their higher education and training shall be arranged at home and abroad to ensure medical services in consonance with the technological development in the health sector.’

She said National Accreditation Council will be formed with eminent doctors and medical educationists for development and regulation of quality health education.

She said, ‘Incentive in the form of low-interest loan will be given to private entrepreneurs to encourage establishment of developed hospitals at district and sub-district levels.’

She further said, ‘BNP will take effective measures to gradually reduce population increment rate to zero percent. Family welfare programs shall be effectively expanded to all tiers of the society including slums, low-income groups and the people deprived of literacy.’