The government plans to launch five 200-bed specialized children's hospitals in Khulna, Barishal, Rangpur, Rajshahi and Cumilla divisions within the next six months to expand pediatric healthcare services across the country.
According to officials, all preparations have been completed to open the hospitals in Barishal and Khulna by early August. The facilities will include Intensive Care Units (ICUs), central air-conditioning systems and provisions for future expansion.
The procurement process for furniture and medical equipment has already been completed. Authorities expect all five hospitals to become operational within the announced timeframe.
Each hospital will require around 1,475 staff members for full-scale operations. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed the Ministry of Public Administration to ensure the recruitment of the required workforce.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain has visited the hospitals in Khulna, Barishal and Cumilla to review progress. During a visit to Barishal Children's Hospital, he announced that the facility is scheduled to open on August 1.
The minister said essential equipment, including neonatal ventilators, CT scan machines, X-ray units, portable X-ray systems, cardiac monitors and phototherapy machines, is expected to arrive by July.
The initiative gained momentum after an emergency meeting on May 10, when Prime Minister Tarique Rahman directed the Health Ministry to expedite the opening of unused children's hospitals in several divisions. He also instructed ministry officials to inspect the facilities and submit reports on their readiness.
Sakhawat Hossain said each hospital will include ICU facilities and modern infrastructure. Dedicated space has also been reserved for future expansion of critical care services.
Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Health Affairs Dr. SM Ziauddin Haider visited the Barishal Children's Hospital and said emergency services would be launched in the first phase, followed by additional services gradually.
In Khulna, officials have accelerated preparations following the Prime Minister's directive. After inspecting the hospital on May 20, the health minister expressed optimism that it would become operational within six months.
Acting Director of the Khulna Divisional Health Department Dr. Md. Mujibur Rahman said the ministry is collecting information on staffing and operational requirements and further steps will be taken based on government instructions.
The minister also visited the under-construction Cumilla Children's Hospital on May 25 and announced that it would be opened within six months.
In Rangpur, a specialized children's hospital that remained unused for six years is now being prepared for operation. Officials from the Directorate General of Health Education have already inspected the facility.
Authorities say the government is also reviewing other completed but unopened healthcare facilities across the country following the Prime Minister's instructions.
Meanwhile, manpower and equipment requisitions for Cumilla Children's Hospital have been submitted to the relevant authorities to support its launch.
The government has also initiated plans to open Rajshahi Children's Hospital. Officials expect the hospital to begin operations within the next three months. Senior officials from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Directorate General of Health Services have already visited the facility and provided operational guidance.
According to ministry officials, outpatient services will be introduced first, with additional services to be launched in phases during the next fiscal year.
