Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed authorities to quickly make six unused children’s hospitals operational after a media report on the issue drew his attention.
According to PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Jahidul Islam Rony, the directive came after a report titled “Six children’s hospital buildings built at cost of Taka 320 crore remain unused” was published on April 12.
The report said six modern hospital buildings in Rangpur, Khulna, Rajshahi, Barishal, Sylhet and Cumilla have remained unused for years despite being fully constructed.
After reading the report, the prime minister held an emergency meeting with Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain, State Minister Dr MA Muhit, Medical Education and Family Welfare Division Secretary Md Quamruzzaman Chowdhury and other officials concerned.
During the meeting, Tarique Rahman instructed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the relevant authorities to inspect the hospitals and make them operational as quickly as possible.
He also asked officials to submit a detailed report on the implementation and progress of the directives by June 2, 2026.
The deputy press secretary said the meeting also discussed the partially operational Kushtia Medical College Hospital. In this regard, the prime minister directed authorities to fully operate the 500-bed hospital.
Tarique Rahman further instructed officials to quickly make other stalled hospitals operational, including the Super Specialized Hospital under Bangladesh Medical University in Shahbagh, Dhaka.
The prime minister also directed the authorities to begin construction work of the 1,000-bed Bangladesh-China Friendship Hospital in Nilphamari as soon as possible by involving the Chinese Embassy through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to officials, the Bangladesh-China Friendship Hospital will be built in Nilphamari Sadar Upazila and the project has been aligned with the government’s election manifesto to establish modern secondary healthcare units in every district.
Medical Education and Family Welfare Division Secretary Md Quamruzzaman Chowdhury said healthcare services for complex diseases remain difficult in the northern region, especially in Rangpur Division, due to poverty, limited healthcare infrastructure and a shortage of skilled manpower.
He said the proposed Bangladesh-China Friendship Hospital would serve as a regional referral center for nearly two crore people in the region.
He also described the expansion of advanced healthcare services in northern Bangladesh as a timely and strategic step.