Chattogram:The Railway General Hospital in Chattogram's CRB area is set to undergo a significant upgrade, transforming into a modern 100-bed health facility. This development was announced following a meeting between Health Minister Sardar Sakhawat Hossain Bakul and Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Administrator Dr. Shahadat Hossain.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the meeting took place on Monday evening at the minister's residence on Minto Road, Dhaka, where the Health Minister revealed the expansion plan. An official announcement regarding the upgrade is expected soon.
The upgrade aims to enhance public healthcare services in Chattogram, particularly benefiting the general public and low-income residents. Dr. Shahadat emphasized that as one of the country's key port cities and commercial centers, Chattogram faces increasing pressure on its public hospitals due to its growing population and patients from surrounding areas.
The Railway General Hospital's expansion is expected to significantly boost the city's healthcare infrastructure, providing affordable care to the poor, the lower-middle class, and the working population. The Health Services Division of the Ministry of Health and the Railway authorities have already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to manage 10 railway hospitals nationwide, including those in CRB and Halishahar.
Under the MoU, the Chattogram Railway Hospital began joint management to serve the general public. The Health Department has assigned 19 doctors and nine nurses to the facility, with outpatient services commencing on May 12, 2025. The hospital is accessible to railway staff, passengers, and the general public.
The meeting also explored plans to enhance healthcare for industrial workers, including proposals for a hospital in the Sitakunda area and a trauma center for road accident victims. A broader initiative to establish six hospitals in total was discussed to cater to the workforce's needs.
Dr. Shahadat highlighted the strategic importance of these developments, given the daily movement of workers and transport personnel through Chattogram's industrial zones and the Dhaka-Chattogram highway. He noted that a hospital and trauma center in Sitakunda would address urgent medical needs and provide rapid care for accident victims.
Local residents believe that the proposed 100-bed general hospital and additional facilities for industrial workers will positively impact healthcare access and quality in Chattogram and its environs, expanding the reach of public healthcare services.