Dhaka: The government has unveiled a significant development initiative aimed at bolstering the operational capability, administrative efficiency, and educational quality of three pivotal government agencies under the Medical Education and Family Welfare Division.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved the project titled ‘Integrated Development of Operational Management of Directorate General of Medical Education, NIPORT and Directorate General of Nursing and Midwifery.’ This initiative, set to be executed from July 2025 to June 2026, is projected to cost Taka 211.90 crore, fully financed by the Government of Bangladesh.
The project will be implemented by the Directorate General of Medical Health Education, the National Institute of Population Research and Training (NIPORT), and the Directorate General of Nursing and Midwifery. These institutions play a crucial role in training, research, education management, and service delivery related to medical, nursing, midwifery, and population.
The project proposal outlines the primary goal of completing essential activities from the concluded 4th Health, Population and Nutrition Sector Program (HPNSP). These activities will be integrated into the ongoing operations of the respective departments, ensuring their institutionalization within the national health administration framework.
A Planning Commission official, speaking to BSS, highlighted that the project aims to gradually transition from the sector-wide operational plan of the 4th HPNSP. It seeks to incorporate key activities into the core administrative framework of the health sector, maintaining progress in health education and population services.
A significant aspect of the project is the enhancement of medical, nursing, and midwifery education. This will be achieved through the renovation of simulation laboratories, development of specialized software modules, practical training, and procurement of modern educational tools. These efforts are intended to elevate skill-based learning, improve clinical competencies, and modernize training methodologies.
To promote transparency and efficiency in education administration, the project will support the development of online student information management systems, updated training curricula, e-library initiatives, and digital content-based platforms. These developments are expected to enhance admission management, digital registration, online training delivery, monitoring, and academic record-keeping.
The project will also introduce modern digital registry mechanisms in various facilities, improving overall management efficiency. Integrated systems for seat allocation, fee payment, utility bill settlement, and coordinated administrative operations are part of the plan.
According to the proposal, these technological advancements aim to reduce administrative bottlenecks, enhance hospital management practices, and strengthen monitoring and accountability mechanisms.
The project will be implemented across all eight administrative divisions-Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, Sylhet, Rangpur, and Mymensingh. It includes government medical colleges, dental colleges, Institutes of Health Technology, and Medical Assistant Training Schools under the Directorate General of Medical Education.
For NIPORT, the project includes 14 Regional Population Training Institutes across selected districts. Activities under the Directorate of Nursing and Midwifery will cover government hospitals, BSc in Nursing Colleges, and Diploma Nursing Institutes nationwide.
The project encompasses 940 training batches with a budget of Taka 64.85 crore, procurement of 849 medical equipment pieces worth Taka 55 crore, 14 research activities with a budget of Taka 20 crore, and 2,397 educational materials valued at Taka 17.75 crore. It also includes furniture, software development, surgical instruments, and other logistical and operational expenses.
A 1% price contingency of Taka 2.09 crore is included, bringing the total cost to Taka 211.90 crore. At the PEC meeting on 8 September 2025, the Planning Commission emphasized the project’s potential to significantly enhance health, population, and nutrition-related education and service quality. The Commission recommended appointing a skilled full-time Project Director for efficient implementation.
Fully funded by the government, this project is anticipated to advance the national agenda of strengthening human resource development in medical, nursing, and midwifery professions, ultimately improving health outcomes, population management, and service quality across Bangladesh.