DHAKA, July 10, 2023 (BSS) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said her government will turn Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) into a modern one having 4,000 beds as the hospital is facing problems in treating growing number of patients.

"It is very difficult to give healthcare services to the growing number of the patients by Dhaka Medical College Hospital. So, we have devised a plan to turn the DMCH into a beautiful, modern and bigger hospital as 4,000 patients can take treatment from the hospital at a time," she said.

The premier was addressing a function marking 78th founding anniversary of the Dhaka Medical College virtually from her office here.

The Dhaka Medical College Alumni Trust arranged the function at the Shaheed Dr Shamsul Alam Khan Auditorium of the college.

"We hope, we can start the work (of turning the Dhaka Medical College Hospital into a 4,000 beds Hospital) very soon," she said.

The science and health services are being flourished as the days to come, so Bangladesh needs to march ahead maintaining the similar pace, Sheikh Hasina said.

The premier said the number of research on medical science is fewer in numbers, adding, "A small number of persons have been engaging in research in medical science."

"So, you should give more focus on researches on medical science as the research to this end is very essential at the current age," she said.

The Prime Minister said her government would give every possible support to conduct extensive research on the medical science to ensure overall development of the health sector.

Sheikh Hasina said her government will provide the required money for conducting research in medical science.

"How much money is required to go for extensive research in medical science, I will give you the amount," she continued.

She said if the plan regarding expansion of the Dhaka Medical will be implemented, it will set an example of giving modern treatment to a large number of people.

The premier, however, lauded the physicians of the Dhaka Medical for making highest efforts to give best treatment to the patients.

"Patients are getting best treatment from the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital," she said.

The Dhaka Medical College has been conducting post-graduate degrees on 50 subjects, the premier said.

She added that her government has been working to reach healthcare services to every doorstep across the country following the footsteps of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The Prime Minister said Bangabandhu had built 10-bed health centres at every union to bring every person under the healthcare services.

Bangabandhu had built Shishu Hospital, Suhrawardy Hospital and Public Health Institute to ensure betterment, she said.

The premier said her government has built the community clinics across the country to pursue the ideology of Bangabandhu to reach healthcare services to every step.

She said her government has built several specialized hospitals to improve further the healthcare services.

The premier said her government has turned 100-bed hospitals to 250 and 500 beds ones at some districts following a survey to meet the growing demand of medicare services.

"We have taken measures to reach healthcare services to every doorstep," she said.

The premier, however, expressed her dismay as no surgery is conducted in several district level hospitals due to having lack of anesthesiologists and many modern medical equipment is not being used properly.

She also criticised the mentality of the physicians not to stay at the rural areas for which village people have to suffer.

"Everyone (physician) wants to stay in Dhaka and no one wants to go outside the Dhaka," she said, adding, "Discharge your duties accordingly when you are posted at the villages," she said.

The premier said everyone concerned with the matter have to give due attention to it.

She reminded the physicians and said her government is reaching every civic amenities to the villages as the rural people can enjoy the benefits which are getting by the urban people.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque, Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni, President of Bangladesh Medical Association Dr Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin and former Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr AFM Ruhal Huq, MP, among others, were present at the function with DMC Alumni Trust Chairman Dr Julfiker Rahman Khan in the chair.