BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman says his time abroad, especially in the United Kingdom, has convinced him that accountability is the foundation for delivering even the most basic public services.
Speaking virtually on Saturday at the National Council 2025 of the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB), a BNP-affiliated medical group, Tarique reflected on how the UK’s public institutions handle healthcare.
“Unfortunately, I have to spend many years abroad,” he said. “I have an experience that since there is accountability in this country [the UK], when a patient goes to the government hospital, he gets a minimum service.”
For him, that minimum standard is something every citizen should receive without exception. Status, influence, or political affiliation should not affect whether someone gets the care or service they are entitled to.
Tarique said the UK system also protects doctors and patients alike. Mechanisms are in place to hold people accountable, whether it’s a case of abuse against medical professionals or a patient being denied treatment.
He argued that Bangladesh could achieve the same by building what he called a transparent, fair, and democratic system nationwide. “If we can gradually build a transparent, fair and democratic system everywhere, we will be able to ensure accountability at all levels,” he said.
Addressing the perception that Bangladesh’s political parties lack internal democracy, he pointed to the DAB council as an example of the opposite. He claimed it shows democratic practices are developing within BNP-linked organizations.
Tarique expressed frustration over the repeated disruptions to democracy since Bangladesh’s independence.
He continues to believe that change is possible. His experiences abroad have helped him gain the confidence that accountability can be introduced at all levels, from local to national, raising public service standards to align with the needs of the people.
