Patiya:Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain announced that the Patiya Upazila Health Complex will be transformed into a model hospital to improve healthcare services across the greater South Chattogram region.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the announcement was made during the Minister's surprise visit to the complex on Saturday, where he reviewed various departments and engaged with patients about the quality of medical services. He inspected the hospital's biomedical equipment, diagnostic facilities, and checked the supplies of medicines and food for patients.
The Minister was joined by Alhaj Enamul Haque Enam, MP, the Director General of Health Services, and other senior officials. During the visit, he revealed plans to upgrade existing hospitals from 50-bed to 101-bed facilities and to construct new 101-bed hospitals where necessary, based on priority and need assessments.
Under a directive from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the Minister stated that the Patiya Health Complex will be upgraded to a 150-bed facility as soon as possible, with additional emergency beds arranged in the interim to alleviate patient congestion.
Hospital officials highlighted that the complex is crucial for the region, serving residents of Patiya Upazila and approximately four lakh people from neighboring areas such as Banshkhali, Chandanaish, Anwara, and Karnaphuli. The high demand results in over a thousand outpatient visits daily, with 100 to 150 patients admitted regularly, creating service challenges.
These officials requested the Minister's help with long-standing issues, and he emphasized the need for in-house blood tests for admitted patients, reliable medicine and saline supplies, and improved food quality. He directed officials to ensure patients receive proper medical care.
Present at the visit were Dr. Sheikh Fazle Rabbi, Divisional Director of Health (Chattogram); Dr. Sajedur Rahman, Civil Surgeon; and Dr. Mohammad Abu Tayeb, Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer, among others.