PM to Open New Neurosciences Hospital Unit Aug 15

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to inaugurate the second unit of the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital (NINH) on August 15, marking the expansion of one of the country's leading specialised healthcare facilities.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain announced the plan while addressing a preparatory meeting at the hospital in Dhaka ahead of the inauguration of the new 500-bed unit.

"The Prime Minister will inaugurate the second unit of the National Institute of Neurosciences Hospital on August 15. I believe that once he visits the hospital, he will take the necessary initiatives for its further development," the minister said.

Highlighting the government's healthcare agenda, Sakhawat Husain said efforts are underway to decentralise medical services so that patients across the country can access specialised treatment without travelling to the capital.

"Our healthcare system will be developed in line with the election manifesto. We want people in Chattogram and other districts to receive quality treatment closer to home instead of coming to Dhaka. Our goal is to bring healthcare services to people's doorsteps, especially in rural areas," he said.

The minister said the Prime Minister would provide policy direction while the relevant authorities would work together to implement the government's healthcare reforms.

He also outlined the government's preparations to tackle dengue, saying coordinated preventive measures have been underway nationwide for the past two months.

According to the minister, coordination committees involving deputy commissioners, civil surgeons, hospital superintendents, city corporation administrators and other officials have been formed in every district.

He said cleanliness drives are continuing across the country, mosquito larvae control tablets have been distributed and spraying programmes are being carried out to curb the spread of dengue-carrying mosquitoes.

Sakhawat Husain said the dengue situation this year remains more manageable than last year's, attributing the improvement to integrated preparedness measures.

He said adequate stocks of saline have been ensured, mobile hospitals have been kept ready for emergency response and physicians have received specialised training for dengue patient management.

State Minister for Health Dr. M. A. Muhit said the government is placing the highest priority on strengthening the health sector and expanding specialised healthcare services beyond Dhaka.

He said plans are underway to establish neuroscience institutes in at least four of the country's older divisional cities and noted that the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital would play a key role in producing the specialist physicians required to operate those facilities.

Additional Director General (Administration) of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Professor Dr. Zahid Raihan, NINH Director Professor Dr. Nuruzzaman Khan Khasru and other senior officials attended the meeting.