Govt plans to form ambulance pool to ease patient transport woes: Sakhawat

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain today (28 October) said that the incumbent government is planning to form an ambulance pool across the country to reduce the difficulties faced by patients in transportation. 

“Ambulances will be arranged by the next fiscal year to this end,” he said. 

The minister made the remarks while talking to journalists after conducting an unannounced inspection at Muradnagar Upazila Health Complex in Cumilla, said a press release.

He said Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman first established 19-bed hospitals at the upazila level to take healthcare services to people’s doorsteps. 

Later, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia upgraded the hospitals to 31-bed and 50-bed facilities, Sakhawat said.

Currently, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has taken an initiative to transform the upazila health complexes to 151-bed hospitals, he said.

The minister said plans are being taken to expand necessary medical services and facilities alongside increasing the number of hospital beds to enhance healthcare capacity at the upazila level.

Emphasising women’s and children’s health, he said the proposed 151-bed hospitals would have 10 dialysis beds, a 20-bed ward for maternity patients and 20 beds for children.

Besides, physiotherapy services for both women and men and breastfeeding centres will also be available there, Sakhawat said.

Expressing satisfaction with the overall management of Muradnagar Upazila Health Complex, he said the hospital environment appeared better than before.

“However, there are some irregularities and shortcomings, which have been brought to the attention of the concerned officials,” the minister said, adding, instructions have also been given to take necessary steps to resolve these problems.