In a parliamentary discussion on the 2026–27 national budget, Jeshore-2 lawmaker Mosleh Uddin Farid welcomed the increased allocation for the health sector but cautioned that funding alone would not solve its deep-rooted problems. He identified manpower shortages, weak drug regulation, broken medical equipment, and inadequate primary healthcare as major obstacles. Farid said around 80,000 positions remain vacant in the health sector, while last year about Tk 2,000 crore from the operational budget was returned unused.

He noted that Bangladesh currently spends only 1 percent of GDP on health, which should gradually rise to 5 percent to match neighboring countries. Farid also highlighted that citizens bear 79 percent of total health expenses, spending Tk 90,000 crore on medicines and Tk 25,000 crore on diagnostics. He urged stronger drug control and quick repair of medical equipment, over half of which are reportedly out of service.

Farid emphasized that achieving SDG-3 by 2030 requires higher investment in primary healthcare, research, and structural reform, stressing that identifying and addressing core issues is essential for real improvement.