Budget2026-27
Sharp Price Cuts for Heart Stents, Intraocular Lenses
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The government has proposed reducing the prices of coronary stents used in heart treatment and intraocular lenses used in eye care.
Finance Minister is presenting the budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year in Parliament at 3 pm today.
Earlier in the morning, the special meeting of the Cabinet approved the proposed budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year for presentation in Parliament.
The proposed budget states that out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure in Bangladesh remains significantly higher compared to many other countries. To reduce medical expenses for the public, the government has proposed a full exemption of 10 percent VAT at the supplier level on imported heart stents and intraocular lenses. As a result, the price of each heart stent is expected to fall by around Tk 20,000. In addition, the price of each intraocular lens is expected to decrease by around Tk 5,000.
It also states that the government has proposed a full exemption of the 7.5 percent advance tax applicable at the import stage on ‘blood tubing sets for hemodialysis’ used in the treatment of kidney patients. As a result, the cost of kidney dialysis is expected to decline significantly.
