Bangladesh to upgrade 492 upazila hospitals to 101 beds

The government has announced a nationwide plan to upgrade 492 upazila health complexes from 50-bed facilities to 101-bed hospitals as part of a broader initiative to strengthen healthcare services across Bangladesh.

Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain disclosed the plan at a press briefing held at the Health Ministry at the Secretariat on Wednesday. He said the directive came from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, and preparations have already begun with field-level assessments being carried out by the Public Works Department.

According to the minister, out of the country’s 500 upazilas, eight already operate 100-bed hospitals. The remaining 492 facilities will now be expanded and upgraded to 101-bed capacity under the new programme.

He said all relevant ministries have been instructed to ensure adequate manpower, medical equipment and logistical support for the upgraded hospitals. As part of the plan, each facility will also appoint one male and one female physiotherapist to improve rehabilitation services at the local level.

The minister described the initiative as a significant step towards making healthcare more accessible in rural areas, particularly for patients requiring physical therapy and long-term recovery support.

In addition to the upazila hospital expansion, the government plans to launch five specialised 200-bed children’s hospitals in Khulna, Barishal, Rangpur, Rajshahi and Cumilla within the next six months. Officials said procurement processes for furniture and equipment have already begun, and recruitment planning is underway.

Each of these hospitals will require around 1,475 staff and will be equipped with ICUs, modern infrastructure and central air-conditioning systems. The government expects all five facilities to be operational by December 2026.

Plans are also underway for five specialised women’s hospitals, alongside major upgrades at Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Mitford Hospital. A residential complex for medical staff worth over Tk1,100 crore is also in the pipeline to improve accommodation facilities for doctors and students.

Officials said Bangladesh is also in discussions with China to establish five 1,000-bed state-of-the-art hospitals in major cities, funded primarily through Chinese cooperation.