Govt to spend Tk 1318 crore on modernising 2 medical colleges
The government has initiated a move to equip Jamalpur and Patuakhali medical colleges with necessary infrastructures spending Tk 1318.22 crore with assistance from Indian 2nd Line of Credit (LoC). The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has sent two draft project proposals to the Planning Commission to this end titled Establishment of Jamalpur Medical College and Hospital and Establishment of Patuakhali Medical College and Hospital for its consideration.
Talking to UNB, a Planning Commission official said out of the estimated cost of Tk 716.61 crore for the Establishment of Jamalpur Medical College and Hospital Project, the government will provide Tk 436.61 crore while the rest of Tk 280 crore would come from Indian $ 2 billion fresh Line of Credit (LoC).
The official also said the out of the total estimated cost of Tk 601.61 crore for the proposed Establishment of Patuakhali Medical College and Hospital project, the government will provide Tk 329.63 crore while the rest of Tk 271.98 crore will come as project assistance under the Indian credit.
Both the proposed projects are included in the five identified projects of the health sector to be implemented under the 2nd Indian LoC.
Earlier in March this year, Bangladesh signed an agreement with Indias government-designated Exim Bank of India for $2 billion in low-cost loans for over a dozen social and development projects.
The funds will be used for 14 projects in railway, road transport, power, education, vocational training, health, ICT, shipping, and economic zones. The credit carries 1 per cent interest rate with repayment period of 20 years and a grace period of five years.
Another official at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare told the news agency that although Jamalpur is an important district in Mymensingh division, the people of this district and the surrounding areas are deprived of desired modern medical services for long.
He said the upazila health complexes in the country have been providing primary healthcare services while the district hospitals secondary healthcare services. On the other hand, the medical institutions with hospitals at national and divisional levels have been providing tertiary-level healthcare services.
The demand for providing healthcare services at tertiary level is growing day by day and considering this establishment of Jamalpur Medical College and Hospital has been proposed in a bid to improve healthcare services at tertiary level, added the official.
He also said that necessary equipment would be procured under the project to further develop Jamalpur Medical College and Hospital.
