Dhaka: All hospitals operated by Bangladesh Railway will now be open to the general public, in addition to railway staff and passengers. This significant development was formalized with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Railways Ministry Secretary Md Fahimul Islam and Health Services Division Secretary Md Saidur Rahman at the Health Ministry's conference room at the Bangladesh Secretariat.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the hospitals will be jointly managed by the Railways Ministry and the Health Services Division. This collaboration will enable the general public, alongside railway staff and passengers, to access medical care at these facilities. To enhance healthcare services, the Health Services Division will assume responsibility for all movable assets of the hospitals and will appoint specialist doctors, as the current structure lacks specialist positions in railway hospitals.
An Inventory Committee, featuring representatives from both ministries, will be tasked with assessing and recommending necessary maintenance measures. The overall administration of the hospitals will be overseen by a central management committee, led by the Railways Secretary.
Additionally, separate joint-management committees will be established at each hospital, with their roles and responsibilities clearly defined through a government order. The event was attended by notable figures, including Railways Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Health and Family Welfare Adviser Nurjahan Begum, and Special Assistant to the Health and Family Welfare Ministry Prof Sayedur Rahman.