DHAKA, April 15, 2023 (BSS) - Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque today said the Boikalic Sashtoseba (Afternoon healthcare service) has been introduced at public hospitals to provide better healthcare services to the people. 

"We have launched Boikalic Sashtoseba as a pilot progrrame to discourage the people to go private hospitals and clinics," he told the inaugural function of introducing of simulation lab and e-library at eight public hospitals here. 

The inaugural function was held at Colonel Maleque Medical College Manikganj in the district. He also virtually inaugurated the same lab and library in seven other Medical Colleges in the country. 

Secretary of Medical Education and Family Welfare Division Md Azizur Rahman, director general of the Directorate General of Medical Education Prof Dr Md Tito Mia, among others, were present at the function. 

Maleque said the country has witnessed a remarkable progress in the health sector during the Awami League government. 

"A significant development has been made in all key indicators of heath sector including average life expectancy, reduction of child mortality, controlling of birth growth rate," he added. 

The health ministry sources said on March 30, after working hours, doctors at 51 public hospitals under 39 upazilas of 12 districts started to see patients taking fees. 

Maleque said the government has started the boikalic Sashtoseba programme in a limited scale and it will be expanded in large scale after reviewing outcome of the pilot programme, he added.