A correspondent :
Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain has announced an allocation of Tk 25 crore to launch heart surgery services at Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital (SZMCH) in Bogura.
“Late Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia had taken an initiative in 2006 to introduce heart surgery at the hospital. However, the initiative was not implemented due to a change of the government,” he said.
The present government will implement her unfinished initiative by introducing comprehensive heart surgery services at the hospital, including the recruitment of necessary manpower, the minister said.
He made the remarks as the chief guest at a discussion marking the 35th founding anniversary of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College at its auditorium here, said a press release.
Former principal and project director of the medical college Prof Dr Mawdud Hossain Alamgir Pavel attended the programme as the key speaker while Bogura-6 lawmaker Md Rezaul Karim Badsha and reserved women’s seat lawmaker Suraia Zarin Rony were present as special guests.
Sakhawat said the tender process for purchasing 37 dialysis machines has already been completed to expand kidney dialysis services at the hospital while its dialysis capacity would soon be increased to 50 beds.
He also announced that a multi-head microscope would be provided to facilitate practical education and training for students of the Department of Nephrology and that 20 additional beds would be added to the hospital.
The minister said Bogura is a primary hub for medical treatment for people from various districts across the entire northern region of the country.
Considering its importance, the government is looking into expanding access to advanced treatment for complex diseases, including cancer and liver diseases, here, he said.
Sakhawat urged the hospital authorities to submit a written list of existing problems, which would be addressed gradually.
Assistant Personal Physician to the Prime Minister and convener of the SZMCH Alumni Association Dr ANM Monowarul Kadir chaired the programme.
Gaibandha Zilla Parishad Administrator Prof Dr Syed Moinul Hasan Sadik, Bogura City Corporation Administrator MR Islam Swadhin, Director General of the Directorate General of Medical Education Prof Dr Md Nazmul Hossain and SZMCH Principal Prof Dr Md Wadudul Hoque Tarafder were also present at the programme, among others.
