Nilphamari Bangladesh-China hospital will reduce patient flow to Dhaka, Rangpur: CA

A new Bangladesh–China Friendship General Hospital in Nilphamari will play a key role in decentralising healthcare and easing the pressure on hospitals centred in Rangpur and Dhaka, says Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.

His remarks came on Sunday while approving the project to establish the 1000-bed facility at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), which he chaired. The information was later shared in a statement from the Chief Advisor's Office (CAO), bdnews24.com reports.

According to the CAO, the project will be implemented by the Directorate General of Health Services under the Health Services Division of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare from January 2026 to December 2029. The total estimated cost is Tk 24.59 billion, of which Tk 1.79 billion will come from the Bangladesh government, while the remaining amount will be financed through Chinese grant assistance.

During a visit to China in March last year, Yunus requested Chinese President Xi Jinping to support the establishment of an advanced hospital in Bangladesh. Following that request, China moved quickly to provide assistance for the project.

Under the project, a modern 10-storey hospital building will be constructed in Nilphamari Sadar Upazila. The project also includes dormitories and residential buildings for doctors, nurses and health workers, a director’s bungalow, supporting infrastructure, and the installation of modern medical equipment.

In addition to general treatment, the hospital will offer specialised services in nephrology, cardiology, oncology and neurology, among others. Advanced emergency services, ICU, CCU and HDU facilities, improved diagnostics and modern operation theatres will ensure treatment for complex and long-term illnesses.

Speaking at the ECNEC meeting, Yunus said: “This hospital is not just an infrastructure project; it is a strategic investment to improve the quality of healthcare in the country. Through this, people in the northern region will be able to access advanced medical services in their own area.”

He added, “Once implemented, the hospital will not only serve patients from Bangladesh, but will also make an important contribution to healthcare in South Asia. Patients from neighbouring countries such as Nepal and Bhutan will have the opportunity to receive advanced treatment here, turning Bangladesh into a key regional healthcare hub.”

The project is also expected to create significant employment opportunities. According to the plan, around 893 doctors, 1,197 nurses and 1,410 other workforces will be recruited under the revenue budget to operate the hospital.

Nilphamari district has a population of around 2.1 million, most of whom live in rural and semi-urban areas. Under World Health Organization standards, this population would require an estimated 4,500 to 6,000 hospital beds, but the number of effective beds at the district level is currently very limited.

At present, healthcare services in the district largely depend on the 250-bed Nilphamari General Hospital and Upazila-level health centres. Due to limited specialised facilities such as ICU, HDU, dialysis and comprehensive cancer units, critically ill patients often have to be shifted to Rangpur or Dhaka.