Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam and State Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat held a meeting at the conference room of the ministry today. Photo: Ministry

DHAKA, May 14, 2026 (BSS)- The government is planning to establish health centres at sea beaches in Cox's Bazar and Patuakhali to strengthen tourist safety and improve emergency response facilities at major coastal tourist destinations.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam said this in a meeting at the conference room of the ministry today.

The meeting was attended by representatives of Centre for Injury Prevention and Research, Bangladesh, which operates sea-safe lifeguard services at Cox’s Bazar, and UK-based donor agency Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

The minister said revision of existing safety policies is essential to ensure the security of tourists. She asked the deputy commissioners of Cox’s Bazar and Patuakhali to submit project proposals to the ministry at the earliest.

At the meeting, State Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat said initiatives would be taken to increase the number of Tourist Police personnel and lifeguards deployed at tourist spots.

He said Corporate Social Responsibility funds would be mobilised initially to continue lifeguard services, while permanent infrastructure would be developed in phases.

Secretary of the ministry Fahmida Akhter, officials of Tourist Police, Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, CIPRB and RNLI were present.

CIPRB, with financial support from RNLI, has been operating lifeguard services at Cox’s Bazar beach since 2012.