Dhaka: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed the immediate operation of six previously unused children’s hospitals, aiming to enhance healthcare accessibility across the nation.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, this directive was issued after a media report titled ‘Six children’s hospital buildings built at cost of Taka 320 crore remain unused’ caught the Prime Minister’s attention. The report, published on April 12, highlighted that modern hospital facilities in Rangpur, Khulna, Rajshahi, Barishal, Sylhet, and Cumilla have been left unused for years.
PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Jahidul Islam Rony explained that following the report, an emergency meeting was convened by the Prime Minister with Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain, State Minister Dr. MA Muhit, Medical Education and Family Welfare Division Secretary Md Quamruzzaman Chowdhury, and other relevant officials. During the meeting, the Prime Minister instructed immediate inspection and operation of these hospitals by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister requested a comprehensive report detailing the implementation and progress of these directives by June 2, 2026. It was also discussed that the partially operational Kushtia Medical College Hospital should be made fully operational, and similar efforts should be applied to the Super Specialized Hospital under Bangladesh Medical University in Dhaka.
In addition to these directives, the Prime Minister emphasized the prompt initiation of the 1,000-bed Bangladesh-China Friendship Hospital in Nilphamari. This project, aligned with the government’s vision of establishing modern secondary healthcare units in every district, is expected to be a collaborative effort with the Chinese Embassy facilitated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Md Quamruzzaman Chowdhury highlighted the critical need for advanced healthcare services in the northern region, particularly in Rangpur Division, due to the high poverty rate, limited health infrastructure, and shortage of skilled human resources. The construction of the Bangladesh-China Friendship Hospital aims to address these issues and serve as a regional referral center, thus expanding advanced healthcare services in the area.