Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday urged doctors to earn people's trust through compassionate, quality care and a humane approach, saying stronger confidence in the country's healthcare system could help prevent an annual outflow of around US$5 billion spent on treatment abroad.

"Every year, around US$5 billion flows out of the country as thousands of our people travel abroad for medical treatment. As a result, we also lose valuable foreign exchange,” he said while addressing the inaugural programme of DMC Day-2026, organised to mark the 80th anniversary of Dhaka Medical College (DMC).

The Prime Minister said the situation could not be changed through laws or institutions alone without the help of the physicians.

Tarique said, as a political worker now entrusted with the responsibility of running the government, he expected both practising doctors and those who would join the profession in the future to help change the situation by strengthening people's trust and confidence in the country's doctors and healthcare system. 

"Why can't we change this situation? Why can't we strengthen our people's trust and confidence in our doctors?... It is only possible through your humane approach and proper treatment " the Prime Minister told doctors, medical teachers and students.

"On the occasion of this anniversary, I have one expectation not only from DMC, but from every hospital and every medical college in Bangladesh—from all doctors and medical students. I hope that, in the future, the people of this country will have complete trust and confidence in our doctors,” he said.

Highlighting the government's commitment to the health sector, Tarique said healthcare received the second-largest allocation in the national budget after education.

He said the government aims to gradually increase health expenditure to around five percent of the country's GDP over the next five years.

The Prime Minister said the government has also reduced taxes and duties on a range of essential medical equipment and materials including dialysis filters, heart valves, pacemakers, oxygenators, peripheral vascular stents, radiofrequency ablation catheters, intraocular lenses and raw materials used for manufacturing cancer medicines.

These measures, he said, would significantly reduce treatment costs and provide relief to many families as most healthcare expenses in Bangladesh are still paid directly by patients.

Highlighting plans to improve healthcare services in other major cities, Tarique said the government would upgrade 51-bed upazila hospitals to 101-bed facilities.

He noted that only five upazilas currently have 100-bed hospitals despite more than 70 percent of the country's population living in rural areas.

The Prime Minister also said every upgraded upazila hospital would have a solar power system with battery storage to ensure uninterrupted electricity during surgeries and emergencies.

Tarique said the recruitment process for 5,000 new MBBS doctors is underway to reduce the shortage of physicians in public hospitals.

He also said vacant posts for nurses, medical technologists, pharmacists, midwives and other healthcare professionals would be filled gradually.

To strengthen maternal and child healthcare, the government plans to recruit another 25,000 midwives across the country, the Prime Minister added.

He said the government is also placing greater emphasis on preventive healthcare instead of relying only on treatment after people become ill as prevention is better than cure. 

Under the plan, Tarique said trained health workers will work at the grassroots level to raise awareness about healthy lifestyles, disease prevention and early healthcare.

"If people remain healthy, fewer patients will need hospital treatment and doctors will be under less pressure," the Prime Minister said.

He also stressed the importance of proper medical waste management and maintaining cleanliness in hospitals.

Tarique called upon doctors, students and healthcare workers to take collective responsibility for keeping hospitals clean instead of leaving the task solely to cleaning staff.

Drawing inspiration from Japan, he recalled how Japanese football fans cleaned stadiums after world cup matches without being instructed to do so and urged Bangladeshis to develop a similar civic sense. 

"We all have a responsibility to keep our hospitals clean. A modern building alone is not enough; we must also ensure a clean and healthy environment," the Prime Minister said.

He said the government has already taken initiatives to promote advanced medical research, modern technology and international-standard training, although achieving meaningful progress would take time.

The Prime Minister expressed confidence that these efforts would gradually produce the desired results.

Sharing his personal experience, Tarique praised Bangladeshi doctors for the care they provided to his late mother, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, until her death. 

He said although advanced medical technology is available abroad, the care, compassion and dedication shown by Bangladeshi doctors are unique. “No amount of money could have bought such sincere and compassionate care abroad.”

The Prime Minister also announced that five children's hospitals, which have remained unused for years despite being constructed, would be made operational by September this year to improve specialised healthcare services for children outside Dhaka.

Calling on medical students to uphold ethics and humanity throughout their careers, Tarique said the medical profession is not merely a job but a noble responsibility to serve people.

He expressed hope that the next generation of doctors would combine professional excellence with compassion and dedication.

Describing Dhaka Medical College as "a living witness to history", Tarique said the institution has played a remarkable role not only in medical education but also in the country's major democratic and political movements.

He said DMC made significant contributions during the 1952 Language Movement, the 1971 Liberation War, the 1990 mass uprising and the July 2024 movement, when its doctors, nurses and staff stood beside injured people with dedication and courage.

Referring to the hospital as a symbol of hope, the Prime Minister said countless people come to Dhaka Medical College Hospital every day seeking a new chance at life.

"Every day, someone's life begins here while another family loses a loved one. A doctor's stethoscope is connected not only to a patient's heartbeat but also to the hopes of an entire family," he said.

Prime Minister's wife Dr Zubaida Rahman, a former student of Dhaka Medical College, also attended the programme.

They were also each presented with a painting of Dhaka Medical College, while a documentary highlighting the institution's history and contributions to the country was screened during the programme.

Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain, State Minister for Health Dr MA Muhit, Principal of Dhaka Medical College Prof Md Mazharul Shaheen and Vice-Principal Prof Musarrat Sultana spoke at the event. 

Dhaka Medical College organised the DMC Day-2026 programme at the Dr Shamsul Alam Khan Milon Auditorium to celebrate the institution's founding anniversary.

The Prime Minister drove himself to the college with his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman. 

He formally inaugurated the celebrations by releasing balloons and pigeons before accompanying his wife to the Kazi Fazlul Huq Women's Hostel where she had stayed as a student.

The couple exchanged greetings with the hostel's students during the visit.

The Prime Minister and Dr Zubaida Rahman later planted two saplings—an Arjun tree and a Neem tree—on the campus.

Dhaka Medical College began its journey on this day in 1946 with just 10 students.

Tarique also attended an interactive session titled "DMCians' Thoughts on the Modernisation of Bangladesh's Healthcare System", where he exchanged views with current and former students of the institution.

Responding to various questions, he assured them that the problems they raised would be addressed gradually.

The Prime Minister also expressed hope that negative reports about the health sector and doctors would decline in the coming days.