Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said the government wants to build a welfare-oriented state where people do not need to travel abroad for medical treatment. He made the remarks on Saturday at about 11:15 a.m. while inaugurating the expanded 500-bed new building of the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital in Agargaon, Dhaka. He said the government would work to deliver quality health services not only in cities but also in remote areas.

The prime minister said five specialized children's hospitals would be opened in October. He also said no one would be deprived of medical care because of a lack of money. The newly inaugurated 15-storey building has three basement floors containing parking areas and service sections. Its upper 12 floors include wards, operating theatres and diagnostic units.

The facility includes 40 ICU beds, 24 post-operative beds and 112 cabins. Doctors said stroke patients are the largest group seeking treatment there, followed by accident victims with brain and spinal injuries. The hospital also treats patients of all ages with neurological conditions including Parkinson's, dementia, GBS, epilepsy and hydrocephalus.