Gangachara: Two high-ranking officials have conducted an inspection of char areas along the Teesta River in Gangachara upazila to identify a suitable site for a proposed Chinese-funded hospital. Dr. Shahidur Rahman Khandker, Lead Economist at the World Bank, Washington, and Farhad Ahmed, former Senior Transport Economist at the World Bank, Washington, are the officials tasked with this project.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the officials, accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rabiul Faisal and Gangachara Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mahmud Hasan Mridha, visited the Char Kalagachhi area of Mohipur Mouza in Laksmitari union. They were joined by the Chairman of the Laksmitari union parishad, Abdullah Al Hadi, and local residents. The inspection covered 20 acres of land selected from a total of 100 acres of Khas land available in the area for the hospital’s construction.
Following the preliminary evaluation, further on-site inspections will be conducted to finalize the location for the 1,000-bed hospital, which is expected to meet international standards. Gangachara UNO Mahmud Hasan Mridha stated that the inspection is part of the efforts to establish the Chinese-funded friendship hospital, which aims to benefit a significant population in North Bengal, including those affected by river erosion and floods.
Imran Ahmed, convener of the Rangpur District Committee of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, highlighted the potential benefits of the hospital, especially after the cessation of medical visas by India. He emphasized that the Chinese plan to build a world-class hospital in the Rangpur division represents a new opportunity for Bangladeshis in the medical field.
The establishment of this hospital aligns with China’s commitment to enhancing Bangladesh’s health sector infrastructure as part of the 50th anniversary of China-Bangladesh diplomatic relations. The announcement of the hospital near the proposed Teesta Master Plan project area by Nurjahan Begum, adviser to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has generated significant interest and enthusiasm within the Rangpur division.