DHAKA, May 17, 2026 (BSS) - Mugda Medical College Hospital, a key government healthcare institution in the capital, will be upgraded to a 1,000-bed hospital, paving the way for expanding medical services, increasing patient capacity and improving modern healthcare facilities.

The Ministry of Finance has given policy approval in this regard, Member of Parliament for Khilgaon, Basabo and Mugda areas and State Minister for Road Transport and Highways Division and Ministry of Railways Habibur Rashid told BSS.

He said that BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia had established the hospital to ensure healthcare services for people of the area. However, the hospital’s expansion activities had long remained neglected, he added.

He said incumbent Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, during the election campaign, had pledged to increase the hospital’s bed capacity from 500 to 1,000.

The state minister said that immediately after the current government assumed office, he submitted a DO letter to the Ministry of Health regarding the matter. Following the Prime Minister’s directive, the Ministry of Health gave final approval to the project, he added.

He said the Ministry of Finance also granted final approval today.

Sources at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said a large number of patients from the capital and surrounding districts visit the hospital every day for treatment.

The existing bed capacity and infrastructure are struggling to cope with the huge patient pressure, causing doctors, nurses and healthcare workers to face serious difficulties in managing services.

In this context, the initiative was taken to upgrade the hospital to 1,000 beds.

Relevant officials said the expansion project would include construction of new buildings, establishment of specialised units, addition of modern medical equipment, and an increase in manpower.

Plans are also in place to strengthen the hospital’s emergency department, intensive care unit (ICU), cardiology, kidney, neurosurgery and paediatric departments.

Following the Finance Ministry’s approval, the Ministry of Health said the administrative approval and implementation process of the project would now be expedited.

A detailed work plan regarding project expenditure, infrastructure development and recruitment of manpower has already been prepared.

Health sector stakeholders said the pressure on government hospitals in the capital is increasing day by day.

A large section of low and middle-income people, in particular, depend on government hospitals for treatment. In such a situation, increasing the capacity of Mugda Hospital would play an important role in ensuring healthcare services for the public.

Hospital authorities said the quality of both outpatient and inpatient services would improve further after completion of the expansion work.

Patients’ waiting times would be reduced, and more people would be able to receive specialised treatment at low cost.

In addition, the inclusion of modern medical equipment would make diagnosis and treatment of complex diseases more effective.

Specialist doctors believe Mugda Hospital has emerged as an important healthcare centre for people living in the eastern and southern parts of the capital.

Once upgraded to 1,000 beds, the hospital would also help reduce pressure on Dhaka Medical College Hospital and other major government hospitals.

Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Mostafizur Rahman said the government is working to make healthcare services more people-friendly and accessible. “The expansion of Mugda Hospital is part of that initiative. The Finance Ministry’s approval marks significant progress in implementing the project,” he said.

State Minister Habibur Rashid said the hospital’s upgradation to 1,000 beds would create new employment opportunities. At the same time, local residents would receive improved and expanded healthcare services, he added.

He said people of Sabujbagh, Mugda and Basabo areas would remember Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s contribution for a long time as a result of the hospital’s upgradation to 1,000 beds.