500-bed expansion in neuroscience care
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday inaugurated a new 500-bed building at the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital in Agargaon, Dhaka, doubling the facility’s total capacity to 1,000 beds.
He unveiled a plaque at around 10am to inaugurate the newly constructed building. His wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, accompanied him. The new facility is set to significantly expand Bangladesh’s capacity to provide specialised treatment for neurological diseases, including complex brain and spinal conditions.
Following the inauguration, the Prime Minister joined a munajat, released pigeons and balloons, and planted a sapling on the hospital premises.
Social Welfare Minister Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain, State Minister for Health MA Muhit and senior officials attended the programme.
The programme was chaired by National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital Director Dr Mohammad Nuruzzaman Khan. Social Welfare and Children and Women’s Affairs Minister Prof AZM Zahid Hossain, Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain, State Minister MA Muhit and Health Secretary Kamruzzaman Chowdhury also spoke.
The 15-storey building has three basement levels for parking and service facilities, while the upper 12 floors house wards, operation theatres and diagnostic units.
It also features a central air-conditioning system, which officials said is the first such facility in a government healthcare institution in the country.
Escalators connect the first to third floors to facilitate the movement of patients, particularly those suffering severe injuries.
A major feature of the new facility is its 100-bed specialised trauma unit for patients with brain and spinal injuries caused by road accidents, falls and other trauma.
The unit has round-the-clock operation theatre facilities, including four OTs. Two of them are modular operation theatres equipped with advanced German technology.
Doctors said stroke patients make up the largest group seeking treatment at the hospital, followed by patients suffering brain and spinal injuries.
The hospital also treats patients with Parkinson’s disease, dementia, Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), epilepsy, hydrocephalus and other neurological conditions.
The National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital was laid by then Prime Minister Khaleda Zia on October 23, 2006, as part of an initiative to expand neurological healthcare in the country.
The new building was inaugurated by her son, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, on her 81st birth anniversary.
The expansion makes the institute one of the country’s largest specialised centres for neurological treatment.
