Govt plans 20 new 1,000-bed hospitals, including two specialised facilities for women

The government plans to establish 20 hospitals across the country, including two 1,500-bed specialised hospitals for women, as part of a major overhaul of the health sector, Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Sakhawat Husain said today (14 June).

The minister announced the plan while inaugurating an intensive care unit (ICU) at Narayanganj General (Victoria) Hospital.

ICU facilities were also launched simultaneously at nine other district sadar hospitals through a virtual platform.

Speaking at the event, Sakhawat said the proposed hospital network would include 18 hospitals with 1,000 beds each, alongside the two specialised hospitals for women.

He said the new facilities would provide services including kidney dialysis, treatment for breast and cervical cancer, disability rehabilitation, maternal healthcare and general medical treatment.

The minister also said each hospital would receive five modern ambulances, while four helicopters would be attached to support the transport of emergency patients.

As part of efforts to expand healthcare services, the government plans to recruit 100,000 health workers, including 80,000 women, he said.

According to the minister, the health workers will provide door-to-door services, including health check-ups, screening and primary healthcare.

“The government’s goal is to ensure quality healthcare reaches people’s doorsteps,” he said.

The event was presided over by Health Services Division Secretary Md Kamruzzaman Chowdhury.

Among those present were Narayanganj-5 MP Md Abul Kalam, Narayanganj City Corporation Administrator Advocate Sakhawat Hossain Khan, Narayanganj District Council Administrator Professor Mamun Mahmud, Narayanganj Development Committee Chairman Mashukul Islam Rajib, Director General of Health Services Professor Dr Probhat Chandra Biswas, Dhaka Divisional Health Director Dr Mohammad Jahangir Alam, Narayanganj Deputy Commissioner Md Raihan Kabir, Superintendent of Police Mohammad Mizanur Rahman Munshi and Civil Surgeon Dr Abul Fazal Muhammad Mushiur Rahman.