Dhaka: State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr. MA Muhit today announced that the construction of infrastructure for eight divisional cancer hospitals is advancing swiftly across the country. He noted that the procurement of equipment and the deployment of specialist manpower are nearing completion. Dr. Muhit made these remarks in the Jatiya Sangsad while responding to a supplementary question from Independent MP Mohammad Salman Omar of Mymensingh-1. He expressed optimism that these cancer hospitals will become fully operational within the next fiscal year.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Dr. Muhit, in response to another question from Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis MP Sayed Uddin Ahmad Hanzala of Madaripur-1, highlighted the longstanding issue of manpower shortages in the country’s health sector. He emphasized the government’s ongoing efforts to address this problem since taking office. Over the past six months, initiatives have been undertaken to appoint new doctors in every upazila. Despite the critical need for gynecologists, there remains a shortage of specialists in this field. Measures are being implemented to recruit new doctors and deploy trained physicians.
Dr. Muhit assured, “You will receive more new doctors very soon. However, we need some more time to ensure the availability of specialist physicians.” While addressing a query from ruling party lawmaker Helen Zerin Khan from a reserved seat, the state minister acknowledged that some of the country’s 15 Medical Assistant Training Schools (MATS) remain non-operational, despite the completion of building constructions years ago.
Dr. Muhit stated that steps have been initiated for eight MATS institutions, with efforts underway to make them functional. “The remaining institutions will be opened in phases,” he added. The state minister explained that the process of launching these institutions is extensive, involving the recruitment of manpower and the completion of several procedural steps before gradual operations can commence.