Railway Hospitals to Open Doors to Public: Fouzul Kabir

Khan revealed that the Ministry of Health will post doctors at these hospitals, and the Ministry of Railways will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Health Ministry to facilitate the initiative.

“Departments must work together to serve the people,” Khan emphasized, noting that no new facilities will be built at this stage. He stressed the importance of inter-ministerial coordination for the success of the initiative.

As part of efforts to improve hospital operations, Khan issued four key directives, including the creation of a board of directors to oversee hospital management. He also confirmed that the Health Ministry would provide doctors, medical supplies, equipment, and food under the proposed MoU.

Khan directed Railways Secretary Md Fahimul Islam to formally request the cooperation of the Health Ministry to move the plan forward.

During his visit, Khan toured various wards of the hospital, speaking with doctors and officials who highlighted challenges such as equipment shortages, bureaucratic hurdles, and inadequate food provisions for some patients due to existing regulations.

“While Chittagong Medical College Hospital is overwhelmed with patients, many beds here remain vacant,” Khan noted, underscoring the need to better utilize existing infrastructure.

Railway sources revealed that the railway hospitals, located in Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Pakshi, Lalmonirhat, and Saidpur, have a total of 270 beds, many of which remain underutilized.

Following the hospital visit, Khan inspected the Railway Carriage and Wagon Repair Factory, Diesel Workshop Factory, Railway Government High School, European Club, and Railway Museum in Pahartali. He announced plans to upgrade the carriage and wagon repair factory into a full-fledged workshop, which would enable the in-country assembly of engines and coaches, thereby reducing time and costs.