Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain said on Wednesday that the government has launched a nationwide initiative to upgrade 492 upazila health complexes from 50-bed facilities to 101-bed hospitals as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare services across Bangladesh.
He revealed the information at a press conference at the Health Ministry office at the Secretariat.
The health minister said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed the authorities concerned to immediately begin the process, with officials from the Public Works Department already being deployed across the country to assess infrastructure requirements.
“Of the country’s 500 upazilas, eight already have 100-bed hospitals. Excluding those, the remaining 492 upazila hospitals will be upgraded from 50 beds to 101 beds,” the minister said.
He said all relevant ministries have been instructed to ensure the required manpower, equipment and logistical support for the expanded facilities.
In a move aimed at strengthening rehabilitation services, the government plans to appoint one male and one female physiotherapist at each upgraded upazila hospital.
“Physiotherapy services are increasingly needed in rural areas. To ensure comfortable access for both men and women, each hospital will have one male and one female physiotherapist,” he said, describing the initiative as a landmark step for the health sector.
The minister also announced that five specialised 200-bed children's hospitals in Khulna, Barishal, Rangpur, Rajshahi and Cumilla are expected to be inaugurated within the next six months.
According to the minister, tenders for furniture and equipment procurement have already been floated, while the Prime Minister has directed the Ministry of Public Administration to allocate the required workforce.
Each hospital will require around 1,475 personnel and will be equipped with intensive care units (ICUs), central air-conditioning systems and modern medical facilities.
“We hope to open all five hospitals by December 2026,” the minister said.
He said discussions are underway for the construction of five specialised hospitals exclusively for women.
The health minister also announced plans to improve accommodation facilities for medical students and doctors at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
A new residential complex involving an investment of more than Tk1,100 crore will be constructed to address years of inadequate living conditions and neglect.
He said project preparations have already been completed by the Public Works Department, while construction work is expected to begin after the tender process.
The government also plans to replace several unsafe and dilapidated buildings at Mitford Hospital with modern healthcare facilities.
According to the minister, some of the existing structures have become highly vulnerable and require urgent replacement.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh and China are jointly planning to establish five state-of-the-art 1,000-bed hospitals in major cities or nearby locations across the country.
The project will be financed primarily by China and is expected to feature modern architecture and advanced medical technologies.
The minister said the government remains committed to building a transparent, corruption-free healthcare system and improving medical services nationwide through large-scale investments in infrastructure, manpower and specialised healthcare facilities.