Staff Reporter:
Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed yesterday said that the government had no hesitation in allocat-ing necessary funds for the treatment of critically injured Sharif Osman Hadi, Inqilab Moncho spokes-person and a prospective independent candidate for Dhaka-8 constituency.
Earlier, two assailants shot Sharif Osman Hadi from a moving motorcycle on Box Culvert Road in the capital’s Paltan area before fleeing the scene. He sustained a gunshot wound to the head.
“When we were informed yesterday that he would need to be sent abroad, we made it clear that money won’t be an issue. We said we will provide the necessary allocation,” the Finance Adviser said.
Dr Salehuddin was responding to the queries of reporters after chairing two separate meetings on the Advisers Council Committee on Economic Affairs and the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase at the Cabinet Division Conference Room at Bangladesh Secretariat yesterday.
He said the government responded immediately after receiving a message regarding Hadi’s condition and about the recommendation to send him overseas for treatment.
The Finance Adviser noted that sending a patient abroad for treatment inevitably involves significant expenses, including specialized arrangements such as an air ambulance.
“Obviously, when someone is sent abroad for treatment, funds are involved. We informed the Ministry of Finance that whatever is required, including hiring an air ambulance if necessary, should be ar-ranged,” he said.
Dr Salehuddin added that, fortunately, the Ministry of Finance is currently meeting the expenses from its own budget. “Later, the costs can be adjusted and accounted for. There was no confusion or hesitation on this matter,” he said.
According to the Finance Adviser, once the relevant board took the decision and made its recommenda-tion, the government acted without delay. “As soon as the decision was taken and the board conveyed it, the government immediately took it up and sought the opinion of the Ministry of Finance,” he said.
“We clearly conveyed that whenever allocation is needed, it would be ensured,” Dr Salehuddin added.
