China-funded 1,000-bed hospital set to transform northern Bangladesh

Bangladesh is poised to build its first large-scale, high-standard China-backed hospital in the northern district of Nilphamari, a project officials say could dramatically improve healthcare access for millions in one of the country’s most underserved regions while easing pressure on overstretched urban hospitals.

The proposed 1,000-bed Bangladesh–China Friendship General Hospital, estimated to cost Tk2,459.34 crore, is expected to be completed by December 2029, subject to approval by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) at its meeting today.

The Planning Commission formally endorsed the project following a Project Evaluation Committee meeting on January 13. Officials at the Ministry of Health and the Planning Commission said the Chinese government will provide Tk2,280.07 crore as a grant—nearly 93% of the total cost—while the Bangladesh government will contribute Tk179.27 crore. The Directorate General of Health Services will implement the project once approval is granted.

Strategically located with strong connectivity

Nilphamari Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Nairuzzaman said the hospital will be built on government-owned land at a strategically advantageous site on the outskirts of the city, about eight kilometres from Nilphamari town and 15 kilometres from Saidpur airport, with close access to both a highway and a railway station.

“Taken together, this connectivity makes it an ideal location,” he said. “The northern region lacks a modern, well-equipped medical facility. An international-standard hospital here would benefit not only this region but the entire country. We also hope patients from neighbouring countries may seek treatment once it becomes operational.”

Serving a wider northern population

While the hospital will be located in Nilphamari, which has a population of around 2.1 million, officials said it is designed to serve nearly 17.61 million people across the broader northern region, where access to advanced healthcare remains severely limited.

Existing facilities are inadequate: the district relies mainly on a 250-bed hospital and basic upazila-level centres, many of which lack intensive care units, dialysis services, oncology, or advanced cardiac and neurological treatment. Critically ill patients are often referred to Rangpur Medical College Hospital, 50–70 kilometres away, or to Dhaka, adding to costs, delays, and health risks.

Once operational, the hospital is expected to treat between 2,400 and 3,050 patients daily. This includes 800–1,000 inpatients, about 1,200 general outpatient visits, and roughly 700 specialist consultations, assuming an 80% bed occupancy rate.

Officials said treatment will be kept affordable, with general outpatient visits priced at Tk50–100, specialist consultations at Tk100–300, emergency services at Tk100–200, basic laboratory tests at Tk250–500, and advanced diagnostics such as MRI or dialysis costing Tk5,000–10,000 per session.

According to the Planning Commission, the facility could reduce referral pressure on tertiary hospitals in Rangpur and Dhaka by up to 25%, helping to ease chronic congestion at major public hospitals.

Multi-specialty, tertiary-level care

The hospital will operate as a multi-specialty tertiary facility, offering services in cardiology, nephrology, oncology, neurology, and maternal and neonatal care, along with modern emergency departments, ICUs, CCUs, and other critical-care units.

The project includes 109,872 square metres of infrastructure. Construction costs are estimated at Tk8.02 billion, about 35% of the total budget, with Tk2.49 billion allocated for electrification. Medical equipment—17,240 diagnostic, surgical, and life-support devices—accounts for Tk945 crore, more than 41% of the total cost. Together, construction, equipment, and electrification make up over 87% of the project budget, with Tk13 crore set aside for contingencies.

Chinese support and strategic significance

Health officials described the hospital as part of a broader series of China-funded healthcare initiatives and a significant example of bilateral development cooperation. The land has already been handed over by local authorities, and the site benefits from strong transport links.

“From a planning perspective, this is a landmark investment for the northern region,” a senior planning official told the Daily Sun. “However, given the scale of funding and technical complexity, strict oversight of construction quality, equipment procurement, and long-term operations will be essential to ensure sustainability and value for money.”

Scrutiny and implementation challenges

The Project Evaluation Committee raised concerns over land acquisition costs, incomplete civil works documentation, consultancy allocations, and the absence of comparative analyses or a comprehensive master plan. Officials said these issues would need to be addressed before final ECNEC approval.

If approved, construction could begin in early 2026, making the project one of the largest healthcare investments ever undertaken in northern Bangladesh and among the most significant China-backed medical initiatives in South Asia.

Public health experts cautioned that timely completion, skilled staffing, and transparent management will ultimately determine the project’s success.

“This could be a game-changer,” a district-level health official said. “But its real impact will depend on how well it is built, equipped, and managed once it starts operating.”