Zubaida Rahman Urges Expansion of Critical Care Services to Rural Areas

Prime Minister's wife and Vice President of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation (ZRF), Dr Zubaida Rahman, on Wednesday called for establishing Intensive Care Units (ICUs) in every district and sadar hospital to reduce the disparity in access to critical healthcare between urban and rural areas.

"Although nearly 68% to 70% of the population lives in rural areas, around 80% to 90% of life-saving critical care facilities are concentrated in Dhaka and other major cities. Emergency healthcare services, including ICUs, must be expanded to rural areas," she said.

Dr Zubaida made the remarks while addressing the inaugural session of the National Conference-2026 of the Bangladesh Society of Critical Care Medicine (BSCCM) as the chief guest at Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka.

Highlighting the country's shortage of critical care facilities, she said Bangladesh currently has only 1.7 critical care beds and nine general hospital beds per 100,000 people. Of the country's 64 districts, 38 have no ICU facilities, while 80% to 90% of all critical care units are located in Dhaka.

Describing the realities faced by rural communities, she said most Bangladeshis live outside major cities but have limited access to advanced medical care.

"Newborns, pregnant women, elderly patients suffering from pneumonia or stroke, and victims of serious road accidents in remote areas are often dying prematurely because they cannot receive timely critical care," she said.

Dr Zubaida said the crisis extends beyond a shortage of ICU beds, pointing to an acute lack of specialist physicians—including anesthesiologists, cardiologists and neurologists—as well as trained nurses and specialised medical equipment.

She stressed the need for strategic planning and strong commitment to improve critical care services despite existing resource constraints.

Emphasising the importance of emergency transportation, she said distance and inadequate transport remain major barriers to treatment for critically ill patients.

"While establishing ICUs in every remote area may not be immediately possible, patients can be transported quickly to district hospitals through ambulances equipped with modern life-support facilities," she said.

Commending the dedication of healthcare professionals, Dr Zubaida said doctors across the country continue to serve patients tirelessly despite significant institutional limitations.

"Even without adequate systems, our doctors are working day and night to save lives and keep hope alive for countless families," she said.

Recalling the contributions of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and stateswoman Begum Khaleda Zia, she urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure life-saving healthcare services reach every part of the country.

Among those present at the অনুষ্ঠানে were Social Welfare Minister Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain, Health Secretary Kamruzzaman Chowdhury, Bangladesh Medical University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr F M Siddiqui, BSCCM President Professor Dr Arif Ahsan, General Secretary Dr Md Zafar Iqbal, Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) President Professor Dr Harun Ar Rashid, General Secretary Dr Zahirul Islam Shakil, Health Directorate Director Professor Dr Probhat Chandra Biswas, and Additional Director General Professor Dr Fowara Tasmin.