The 250-bed TB Hospital in Dhaka’s Shyamoli will soon be upgraded to the National Institute and Hospital for Tuberculosis Control, said Primary and Mass Education State Minister and hospital management committee Chairman Bobby Hajjaj.
He said the upgrade would expand facilities for tuberculosis diagnosis, treatment, research and training while strengthening the hospital’s overall capacity.
“Necessary initiatives have been taken to develop the hospital into a modern, integrated and effective institution for tuberculosis control,” he said.
Bobby Hajjaj made the comments as the chief guest at a meeting of the hospital management committee at the hospital’s conference room on Monday.
The state minister said steps would be taken to fill vacant posts for doctors, officials and employees as soon as possible.
Addressing the manpower shortage was essential to improve the quality of services and make the hospital’s operations more effective, he said, adding that the necessary measures would be taken in consultation with the Ministry of Health.
He also said an initiative would be taken to construct a new 500-bed building to expand the hospital’s services and capacity.
Bobby Hajjaj instructed the relevant authorities to remove encroachments from the footpath in front of the hospital to ensure unobstructed movement for patients and the public.
During his visit, the state minister inspected different wards and spoke with patients, attendants, doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers about the hospital’s services and challenges.
He also sought updates on cleanliness, medicine supplies and other facilities and instructed officials to take necessary measures to improve the hospital’s overall services.
“Every patient who comes to a government hospital for treatment must be treated with humanity and responsibility. The hospital authorities must give the highest priority to ensuring that patients do not face any kind of suffering or inconvenience,” Bobby Hajjaj said.
The meeting was chaired by Dr Ayesha Akter, member secretary of the hospital management committee and deputy director of the hospital.
Officials from the Ministry of Health, Directorate General of Health Services and Department of Social Services, members of the hospital management committee, health reporters, doctors, officials and employees of the hospital attended the meeting.