7 districts in line for new medical colleges: Health minister

Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain today announced that the government is planning to establish medical colleges in seven more districts.

The feasibility studies are currently underway in Munshiganj, Brahmanbaria, Thakurgaon, Natore, Narsingdi, Bhola, Sherpur, and Lakshmipur.

Replying to a query from treasury bench MP Lutfor Rahman in the parliament, the minister said the initiative aims to strengthen human resource development, expand medical treatment, protect public health, and modernise nursing education.

Currently, Bangladesh has 37 government medical colleges in 34 districts, including Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Sylhet, Khulna, Barishal, Rangpur, and others.

However, 30 districts still lack government medical colleges, such as Narayanganj, Rajbari, Shariatpur, Feni, Chapainawabganj, Jhenaidah, Bhola, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Panchagarh, and Sherpur.

Answering another query from MP Mohammad Enamul Haque, the minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to universal health protection as pledged in the election manifesto.

He stressed that new facilities must consider population, bed occupancy rates, and resource distribution. To improve hospital quality, it is not enough to increase the number of beds; modern equipment is also needed, he said.