Government to upgrade 492 upazila hospitals into 101-bed healthcare facilities: Minister

Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain on Wednesday announced a nationwide initiative to upgrade 492 upazila health complexes from 50-bed facilities to 101-bed hospitals, aiming to strengthen healthcare services across Bangladesh.

Speaking at a press conference at the Health Ministry in the Secretariat, the minister said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has instructed the relevant authorities to immediately begin the implementation process. Officials from the Public Works Department (PWD) have already been deployed across the country to assess infrastructure needs.

"Among the country's 500 upazilas, eight already have 100-bed hospitals. The remaining 492 upazila health complexes will be upgraded from 50 beds to 101 beds," he said.

The minister noted that all relevant ministries have been directed to ensure adequate manpower, medical equipment and logistical support for the expanded facilities.

As part of efforts to improve rehabilitation services, the government plans to appoint one male and one female physiotherapist at every upgraded hospital.

"Demand for physiotherapy services is growing in rural areas. To ensure convenient access for both men and women, each hospital will have one male and one female physiotherapist," he said, describing the move as a significant milestone for the country's healthcare sector.

Sakhawat also announced that five specialised children's hospitals, each with 200 beds, are expected to be inaugurated within the next six months in Khulna, Barishal, Rangpur, Rajshahi and Cumilla.

He said tenders for furniture and equipment procurement have already been issued, while the Prime Minister has directed the Ministry of Public Administration to arrange the necessary workforce.

Each of the new hospitals will require around 1,475 personnel and will feature intensive care units (ICUs), central air-conditioning systems and other modern healthcare facilities.

"We hope to inaugurate all five hospitals by December 2026," the minister said.

He further revealed that discussions are underway to establish five specialised hospitals dedicated exclusively to women's healthcare.

The government is also planning to improve accommodation facilities for doctors and medical students at Dhaka Medical College Hospital through the construction of a new residential complex at a cost exceeding Tk1,100 crore.

According to the minister, the PWD has already completed project preparations, and construction is expected to begin once the tender process is completed.

In addition, several unsafe and dilapidated buildings at Mitford Hospital will be replaced with modern healthcare facilities. The minister said 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 areas across the country. The project will be financed primarily by China and is expected to incorporate advanced medical technologies and modern architectural designs.

The minister reiterated the government's commitment to building a transparent and corruption-free healthcare system through major investments in infrastructure, human resources and specialised medical services nationwide.