Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to inaugurate the second unit of the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital (NINH) on August 15, Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain announced today. Speaking at a preparatory meeting at NINH in Dhaka, the minister said the new 500-bed unit is expected to significantly enhance the hospital's capacity to treat neurological disorders.
Government's Healthcare Vision
Referring to the government's election manifesto, Husain said the country's healthcare system would be decentralised to ensure quality medical services across the country. 'Our healthcare services will be built in line with the election manifesto. The health system will be decentralised so that people from Chattogram or other districts will not have to come to Dhaka for treatment. We want to take healthcare to the doorsteps of rural people and seek everyone's cooperation in achieving this goal,' he said.
Dengue Preparedness
The minister highlighted the government's preparedness to tackle dengue. Coordinated measures have been underway for the past two months, with coordination committees formed in every district comprising deputy commissioners, civil surgeons, hospital superintendents, city corporation administrators and other relevant officials. Cleanliness drives are continuing across the country, while mosquito larvae destruction tablets have been supplied and spraying activities are being carried out to eliminate adult mosquitoes.
Integrated Plans for Dengue
Husain said the dengue situation this year is better than that of the previous year, adding that the government has taken integrated plans for patient management, ensured adequate saline stocks, kept mobile hospitals ready and arranged training for physicians. 'Mobile hospitals have been kept prepared for dengue patients while sufficient saline has been stockpiled to prevent any shortage and avoid severe complications during treatment,' he added.
Decentralising Healthcare Services
State Minister for Health Dr. M A Muhit emphasised the need for decentralising healthcare services to ensure equal access for all. He said the government plans to establish neuroscience institutes in at least four older divisional cities and stressed that the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital would play a crucial role in producing the specialist physicians needed to operate those institutions effectively.
Experts and Officials Present
Additional Director General (Administration) of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Professor Dr. Zahid Raihan, Director of the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital Prof Dr. Nuruzzaman Khan Khasru, and other senior officials attended the meeting.
