Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said work has begun to open one 200-bed specialized children’s hospital each in Khulna, Barishal, Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions, and Cumilla district. He said the five facilities could be launched simultaneously in October. Rahman made the announcement on Saturday at the inauguration of Building-2 of the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital in Agargaon, Dhaka.

At the event, he also inaugurated the new 500-bed building of the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital. He said the facility, with modern intensive care units, operating theatres, diagnostic services and specialized wards, would expand treatment capacity for neurological conditions and support medical research and higher education. He noted that former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia laid the hospital’s foundation stone on October 23, 2006.

Rahman said the government has started work on an e-health card-based referral system and full primary health-care units in every union to bring services closer to people. He also said every upazila hospital would be upgraded gradually to 151 beds during the government’s term. He stressed trust, respect and compassion among doctors, patients and relatives.