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Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain has told the Parliament that a total of Tk4,394.08 crore has been spent so far on purchasing vaccines to protect the people of the country during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He provided this information on Tuesday (7 April) in response to a starred question from treasury bench member Joynal Abedin (Feni-2) on the 10th day of the 13th session of the National Parliament. The session was chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram. The question-answer was tabled in the session.
The Health Minister said that the government had allocated Tk4,685. 22 crore from the fiscal year 2020 -21 for importing and purchasing COVID-related equipment, including vaccines. From this allocation, Tk 4,394.08 crore has been spent on vaccine procurement so far.
Presenting the expenditure of other sectors related to the vaccination programme, the minister said that Tk30.88 crore has been spent on purchasing syringes. Additionally, Tk19.57 crore has been spent on transportation costs to deliver vaccines across the country, and Tk99,78,980 has been spent on syringe shipping and related charges.
In response to a question from a Member of Parliament regarding whether there had been any irregularities or corruption in vaccine imports, Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain said that no specific information or allegation has been received by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare so far regarding vaccine procurement and storage. However, the government remains committed to ensuring transparency and accountability. If any irregularities are found, appropriate measures will be taken after proper review.
The minister further said that due to the government’s timely measures in tackling the COVID-19 situation, the country has been able to return to normalcy quickly.
Initiative underway to recruit 100,000 health workers
Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain said that necessary initiatives are being taken to recruit 100,000 health workers in the country.
On Tuesday, during the question-answer session in Parliament, the minister said this in response to a starred tabled question placed by treasury bench member Ikramul Bari Tipu (Naogaon-4). The session was presided over by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram.
The minister said that the government is working tirelessly to ensure the required manpower to improve the quality of healthcare services and maintain continuity in service delivery. In line with the current government’s election manifesto, necessary initiatives are being taken to recruit 100,000 health workers.
On 22 January, 2026, through the 48th BCS, 2,984 assistant surgeons and 279 dental surgeons were recruited. Additionally, through the 44th BCS, 18 assistant surgeons (MBBS) and 22 dental surgeons were appointed. Earlier, on 18 December, 2025, 162 assistant surgeons (MBBS doctors) were recruited through the 27th BCS.
He said that currently at Manda Upazila Health Complex and at Upazila and Union levels, the total number of posts for doctors and other officials or employees is 196, of which 138 are filled, and 58 are vacant. Among doctors from 1st to 9th grade, 21 are currently employed against 31 posts, leaving 10 vacant. In the case of nurses, 35 out of 36 posts are filled, with 1 vacancy. Without this, among 11th to 16th grade employees, 67 out of 102 posts are filled, leaving 35 vacant. In the 17th to 20th grades, 15 out of 27 posts are filled, leaving 12 vacant.
It is mentioned that the process of filling these vacant posts is already ongoing. Through continuous recruitment and posting, all vacant positions will be filled gradually.
