The Health Services Division issued the directive on 27 September, instructing departmental heads under the ministry to take immediate action.
TBS Report
17 October, 2026, 10:20 am
Last modified: 17 October, 2026, 10:36 am
The Health and Family Welfare Ministry has directed all public and private hospitals and medical colleges nationwide to purchase and preserve three books on BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia in their libraries.
The directive was issued in a letter signed by Khandaker Robiul Islam, senior assistant secretary of the Health Services Division, on 27 September, instructing heads of various offices and directorates under the ministry to take necessary steps.
The three books named in the letter are President Zia: Political Biography, Begum Khaleda Zia: Life and Struggle and Bangladesh First (Shobar Age Bangladesh). The letter requests that libraries collect and preserve one copy of each book published by Jatiyatabadi Prokashona Sangstha.
It cites a letter dated 23 August from Jatiyatabadi Prokashona Sangstha, located at 11/1 Banglabazar, Islami Tower, Dhaka.
Copies of the directive were sent to several offices, including the Health Education and Family Welfare Division, Directorate General of Health Services, Directorate General of Family Planning, Directorate General of Drug Administration, Directorate General of Nursing and Midwifery, and Directorate General of Medical Education.
Other recipients include the National Institute of Population Research and Training (Niport), Health Economics Unit, Directorate of Health Engineering, and Nememw and TC.
Although the letter directs the institutions to purchase the books, it does not specify a budget, funding allocation or details of the procurement process.