Desk Report:
Md. Ismail Zabiullah, the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Public Administration (holding the rank of Minister) and a member of the BNP’s National Standing Committee, has called for the development of healthcare services through the application of artificial intelligence. He made this call on Monday (October 12, 2026) while speaking as the chief guest at the closing ceremony of the 138th and 139th special foundation training courses for BCS (Health) cadre officers, organized by the National Academy for Planning and Development (NAPD) in Nilkhet, Dhaka. A total of 80 trainees participated in these two courses.
The Adviser stated that we must constantly monitor global advancements in sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), genomics, robotic surgery, telemedicine, medical devices, and biotechnology. However, merely following the world is not enough; we must also innovate and discover new things ourselves. He emphasized that if a government physician can introduce a new medical procedure, a novel health-service model, a digital solution, or an innovation in management during their career, the positive impact could extend far beyond the confines of a single hospital to touch the lives of millions.
Md. Ismail Zabiullah remarked, “You are entering the healthcare profession at a time when healthcare services worldwide are undergoing rapid transformation. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is creating new possibilities ranging from disease diagnosis to treatment management and the prescription of medicines. Robotic technology is making surgeries more precise and advanced, while advancements in genomics are paving the way for personalized medicine.”
Addressing the trainees, the Adviser said, “I specifically urge you to cultivate a culture of research and innovation.” He urged physicians to continuously learn, conduct research, and utilize data. He also advised them to adhere to international medical standards while equally analyzing both their successes and failures in the workplace.
He further stated that it is the moral obligation of government officials to implement the government’s election manifesto in the healthcare sector. To build a happy, prosperous, equitable, and modern Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, officials must discharge their duties with honesty, competence, innovation, and dedication. He called for the creation of a people-friendly healthcare system where no one is deprived of medical treatment due to a lack of funds and where technology is harnessed for the welfare of the people.
The Adviser on Public Administration noted that the current government has accorded special importance to the health sector, allocating the second-highest budget share to it. The government is working towards the goal of establishing “Primary Healthcare and a Healthy Bangladesh,” as outlined in the BNP’s election manifesto. He recalled that the late President Ziaur Rahman initiated upazila-level healthcare services through 30-bed hospitals, and subsequently, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia upgraded these upazila health complexes to 50 beds. Continuing this legacy, initiatives are now underway under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to upgrade upazila health complexes to 150 beds. The government aims to gradually increase health sector allocation to 5 percent of the GDP over the coming years, ensuring that people in remote areas can easily access quality medical care without having to travel to cities for primary treatment.
Sayma Afroze, Additional Director General of the institution, delivered the welcome address at the event. Following this, the Adviser distributed certificates to the trainees and presented mementos to the award winners.
Presided over by Md. Khairul Kabir Menon, Director General of the National Academy for Planning and Development (NAPD), the event was attended by faculty members and officials of the academy.
