Medical Costs May Drop as VAT Removed from Heart Stents and Dialysis Equipment
Published : 20:47, 11 June 2026
The cost of critical medical treatment, including heart stents and dialysis services, is expected to decrease following the removal of VAT and taxes on essential healthcare equipment, Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said on Thursday.
He made the announcement while presenting the national budget for FY 2026-27 in Parliament.
Lower Cost for Heart Stents
The budget proposes withdrawing the 10 percent VAT previously imposed at the supplier level on heart stents. As a result, the price of each stent could decrease by up to Tk 20,000, significantly easing the financial burden on cardiac patients.
Relief for Kidney Patients
The import VAT of 15 percent and a 5 percent advance tax on dialysis filters have also been removed. According to government estimates, this may reduce dialysis costs by around Tk 800 per patient on average.
In addition, the existing 7.5 percent advance tax on hemodialysis blood tubing sets has also been withdrawn.
Aim to Reduce Healthcare Burden
The finance minister said the measures are designed to make life-saving medical treatments more affordable for the general public.
The government has proposed a total budget of Tk 938,000 crore for FY 2026-27, one of the largest in the country’s history.
