Bangladesh plans digital health card to expand nationwide care

DHAKA, Bangladesh (MNTV) — Bangladesh is planning to introduce a nationwide digital health card system as part of broader efforts to expand access to medical services and modernize the country’s public healthcare infrastructure.

The proposed “e-Health Card” initiative would allow residents to digitally store and access personal medical records, helping hospitals and clinics track patient history and deliver services more efficiently. Authorities say the system aims to improve healthcare delivery while ensuring that essential medical services reach communities across the country.

Bangladesh’s healthcare system serves a population of more than 170 million people, one of the largest and most densely populated countries in the world. While the country has made progress in improving life expectancy and reducing maternal and child mortality over the past two decades, access to healthcare remains uneven, particularly in rural and remote regions.

Officials say digital systems such as the proposed e-Health card could help streamline patient identification, maintain centralized health records and reduce administrative delays in hospitals and public clinics. 

Digital health records are increasingly being adopted worldwide as governments seek to strengthen public health monitoring and improve coordination between medical facilities.

Authorities also discussed broader health-sector priorities, including efforts to strengthen primary care services and expand the healthcare workforce. Bangladesh is exploring plans to recruit around 100,000 additional health workers in the coming years, with a large share expected to be women, in an effort to address shortages in clinics and community health programs.

Improving healthcare access in remote areas was another focus of discussions, with authorities emphasizing the need to ensure that doctors and medical staff are available in rural health centers where shortages remain common.

Population growth also remains a key policy concern. Government data indicates that approximately 3.4 million babies are born in Bangladesh each year, placing sustained pressure on the country’s healthcare system, education services and social infrastructure.

Public health experts say digital health initiatives, combined with expanded staffing and improved rural services, could help Bangladesh strengthen healthcare delivery as demand for medical services continues to grow.