Health Minister Sardar Sakhawat Hossain Bokul told Parliament on Sunday that there are no funds available for development work in the health sector, and even upazila health complexes lack sufficient money to buy basic items such as gauze, bandages, and syringes. He made the remarks while responding to a notice from ruling party MP Mohammad Shamim Kayser regarding the upgrade of Gobindaganj Upazila Hospital in Gaibandha district.

The minister alleged that widespread corruption and mismanagement during the previous fascist government had drained the health sector’s resources. He said that ongoing projects were left incomplete and poorly planned, citing examples of hospital buildings where entrances were placed next to bathrooms due to faulty designs made in haste for profit. He added that even the caretaker government’s remaining resources had been exhausted.

Bokul stated that he had discussed the situation with the Prime Minister several times and that after the next budget, the ministry would gradually work to restore basic healthcare services within limited resources across all upazilas.