Budget 2026-27 Proposes Doubling Financial Assistance to Patients With Six Critical Diseases

The government has announced plans to double financial support for economically disadvantaged patients suffering from six severe and costly diseases under the proposed national budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury unveiled the proposal while presenting the budget in the Jatiya Sangsad on Thursday, describing it as part of broader efforts to strengthen the country's social safety net and ensure healthcare access for low-income citizens.

Under the proposal, patients diagnosed with cancer, kidney disease, liver cirrhosis, paralysis caused by stroke, congenital heart disease, and thalassaemia will be eligible to receive a one-time annual financial grant of Tk100,000. The amount represents a twofold increase from the existing assistance of Tk50,000 provided under the programme.

The financial support is distributed through the Department of Social Services under the Ministry of Social Welfare as part of its Hospital Social Service Programme, which has long provided aid to poor and vulnerable patients unable to afford expensive medical treatments.
 

According to the budget proposal, many individuals suffering from these critical illnesses are often deprived of necessary treatment due to financial hardship. The government acknowledged that the high cost of healthcare not only prolongs patients' suffering but also pushes countless families into economic distress as they struggle to manage treatment expenses.

Officials noted that the assistance programme has received widespread appreciation over the years for providing relief to impoverished patients facing life-threatening conditions. By increasing the amount of support, the government aims to reduce the financial burden on affected households and improve access to life-saving medical care.
 

The proposed measure comes as part of the country's largest-ever national budget, themed "The Journey Towards a Democratic, Humane and Inclusive Economy."

The budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year has been set at Tk9.38 lakh crore, with a revenue collection target of Tk6.95 lakh crore. This leaves a projected budget deficit of Tk2.43 lakh crore, which the government plans to bridge through a combination of domestic and foreign financing.
 

According to budget documents, the government intends to secure Tk1.16 lakh crore through foreign loans and grants, while Tk1.27 lakh crore will be mobilised from domestic sources. Of the domestic borrowing target, Tk1.12 lakh crore is expected to come from the banking sector, while Tk15,000 crore will be raised through savings certificates and other channels.

The proposed budget also projects the country's gross domestic product (GDP) at Tk68.30 lakh crore. The government has set an inflation target of 7.5 percent for the next fiscal year and aims to achieve economic growth of 6.5 percent.

Presented in the presence of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and under the chairmanship of Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, the budget marks Bangladesh's 55th national budget and the first presented by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury under the current administration.

Subject to parliamentary approval and presidential assent, the new fiscal measures, including the enhanced healthcare assistance, are scheduled to take effect from 1 July 2026.

Healthcare advocates have welcomed the proposed increase, saying it could provide critical support to thousands of vulnerable patients who often face impossible choices between seeking treatment and preserving their family's financial stability.