Health sector allocation goes up by Tk 4,133cr

The allocation for the health sector in the proposed budget has gone up by Tk 4,133 crore when compared year-on-year, reaching Tk 36,864 crore in the FY2022-23.

Placing the budget in Parliament on Thursday, Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said, “Considering the health sector a priority, we are proposing an allocation of Tk 36,864 crore for Health and Family Welfare sector in the next FY23, which was Tk 32,731 crore in FY22.

“The allocation is meant for the overall development of the sector.”

He added, “To combat the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19), all duties and taxes applicable on the import of testing kits, special types of masks and hand sanitizers, raw materials required for the production of masks and PPE, raw materials required for the preparation of RT-PCR kits for detection of coronavirus have been waived through a special notification.

“The corona situation in the country has improved a lot. Therefore, I am proposing to abolish the existing concessional facility at import stage offered on these products after June 30, 2022.”

Kamal continued, “In order to consolidate the achievements of the health sector, it has been proposed to continue the existing concessional facilities for import of raw materials required for the production of medicines and medical supplies.

“I am proposing to reduce the applicable duty on air-zinc batteries used in the special device for hearing impaired people. It is proposed to abolish all existing tariffs on the imports of specialised wheelchairs for the physically challenged people.”