Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said beneficiaries of fascism remain active across the state, politics and administration, alleging that a group is trying to destabilize Bangladesh’s energy and power sectors. He made the remarks at a doctors’ gathering in the capital on Saturday marking the 37th anniversary of the Doctors Association of Bangladesh. He said the government inherited a weak economy, divided administration, and fragile education and health systems.

Rahman said the group seeking to unsettle the power and energy sectors was presenting misleading statements in different ways. He said political awareness or organization among students, teachers and professionals was not unreasonable in a democratic state, because political decisions affect nearly all activities. However, he cautioned that excessive political involvement should not obstruct professional duties.

On health policy, Rahman said the government plans to recruit 100,000 additional health workers to promote primary healthcare awareness, with doctors expected to lead their training. He said health had received the country’s second-highest budget allocation, with a plan to raise it to 5 percent of GDP within five years. Work has begun to introduce e-health cards, while every upazila hospital is to be upgraded to 101 beds. He said doctors’ proposals would be reviewed gradually.