Highlights:

The government has approved three new development projects in the health sector with a combined allocation of Tk3,422 crore, aimed at strengthening essential healthcare services, institutional capacity, and health education.

The approvals came at the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) meeting today (10 November), chaired by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus at the NEC conference room in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.

Following the meeting, Planning Division Secretary SM Shakil Akhter confirmed the approval of the projects, which focus on completing unfinished activities from the Fourth Health Sector Programme and transitioning the health system to a project-based development structure.

One of the approved projects, titled Implementation of Unfinished Essential Activities of the Fourth Sector Programme for Family Planning, Maternal, Child and Reproductive Health Services, involves an expenditure of Tk1,663.53 crore. It seeks to continue crucial programmes that aim to ensure universal health coverage, improve maternal and child healthcare, and strengthen family planning and reproductive health services across the country.

Another project, Implementation of Unfinished Essential Activities under PFD, HEF, IFM, HRD and SWPMM, has been allocated Tk1,546.45 crore. The initiative will support the continuation of key operational plans, including human resource development, institutional maintenance, and facility-based health service delivery, to maintain the momentum of previous sectoral programmes.

The third project, Integrated Development of Management Operations of the Directorate General of Health Education (DGME), NIPORT, and the Directorate of Nursing and Midwifery, involves Tk211.91 crore. It is designed to modernise medical, nursing, and midwifery education and ensure quality and affordable health and family planning services through improved institutional coordination.

Since 1998, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has implemented a series of Sector Programmes to improve efficiency, affordability, and coordination in the country's health system. The fourth programme, completed in June 2024, marked the end of that framework. However, officials said the sector programmes faced challenges, including overlapping activities and duplication of functions, prompting the government to move toward a regular project-based structure.

Under this transition, the Health, Population and Nutrition Sector Programme (HPNSP) will gradually be phased out, with its essential operational plans integrated into a permanent administrative structure. The newly approved projects are intended to ensure continuity of vital services, reinforce collaboration between government and NGOs, and strengthen public-private partnerships and inter-sectoral coordination. Officials expect these projects to help reduce maternal and infant mortality and raise the rate of institutional deliveries.

land registration automation project deferred

At the same ECNEC meeting, the government approved a total of 12 development projects worth Tk7,150.90 crore, all financed from domestic resources. These include rural infrastructure improvement projects in Manikganj and Satkhira, small irrigation development in the haor regions of Kishoreganj and Netrokona, and infrastructural expansion of Gazipur Agricultural University. ECNEC also approved the establishment of engineering colleges in Chattogram, Khulna, Rajshahi, and Rangpur divisions.

Other approved projects include the third phase of the Independence Monument construction at Suhrawardy Udyan and the development of 'B'-type housing for officers in the Nirjhor area of Dhaka Cantonment. The committee also extended the Kalia Bridge project on the Nabaganga River in Narail and approved a revised version of the BSCIC Industrial Park project in Tangail.

Meanwhile, the proposed "Land Registration Management Automation" project under the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, estimated at Tk632.69 crore, was returned for further review. Chief Adviser Yunus instructed that the proposal be restructured in coordination with the Ministry of Land and other relevant agencies before resubmission.

ECNEC / Planning Commission