Prime Minister (PM) Tarique Rahman has directed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to immediately operationalise six specialized children’s hospitals that have remained unused for years despite the completion of their buildings.

The PM’s directive followed a media report published on April 12 titled "6 Children`s Hospital Buildings Sit Idle After 320 Crore Taka Expenditure."

The report highlighted that modern hospital facilities in Rangpur, Khulna, Rajshahi, Barishal, Sylhet, and Cumilla have remained functional vacuums despite significant state investment.

Following the report, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman convened an emergency meeting with Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain, State Minister Dr MA Muhit, Health Secretary Md. Kamruzzaman Chowdhury, and other high-ranking officials.

The PM ordered the Health Secretary and relevant authorities to conduct immediate inspections of these six facilities and take necessary steps to open them to the public.

He set a strict deadline of June 2, 2026, for a comprehensive progress report on the implementation of these directives, according to Deputy Press Secretary Zahidul Islam Roni.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister also addressed the partial operation of the Kushtia Medical College Hospital, instructing officials to ensure the 500-bed facility becomes fully operational without delay.

Furthermore, he issued orders to accelerate the launch of all pending healthcare projects, including the Super Specialized Hospital under the Bangladesh Medical University in Shahbagh, Dhaka.

In a push for regional healthcare development, the Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to coordinate with the Chinese Embassy to fast-track the construction of the 1,000-bed Bangladesh-China Friendship Hospital in Nilphamari.

This project aligns with the government’s manifesto to establish modern secondary healthcare units in every district.

Health Secretary Kamruzzaman Chowdhury noted that the Nilphamari project is a strategic necessity for the northern region.

He emphasized that with a population of nearly 20 million in the Rangpur division facing high poverty rates and limited infrastructure, the new hospital will serve as a vital regional referral center for complex medical cases.