8 upazila health complexes upgraded to 101 beds in Sunamganj

DERAI, SUNAMGANJ, July 24: Eight upazila health complexes in Sunamganj have been upgraded from 50-bed to 101-bed hospitals as part of the government's nationwide initiative to strengthen healthcare services and improve access to treatment at the grassroots level.

The decision was announced through a gazette notification issued by the Health Services Division under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and signed by Deputy Secretary Kazi Sharif Uddin.

Under the initiative, 418 upazila health complexes across the country have been upgraded to 101-bed facilities. In Sunamganj, the upgraded hospitals are located in Bishwambharpur, Chhatak, Shantiganj, Derai, Dharampasha, Dowarabazar, Jagannathpur and Tahirpur upazilas.

The move has been welcomed by local residents, who believe the expanded facilities will significantly improve access to quality healthcare, particularly for people living in remote and haor areas of the district.

Health officials said the increase in bed capacity will be supported by additional medical personnel, improved infrastructure and the supply of modern medical equipment to ensure better patient care. The expansion is also expected to strengthen emergency services, inpatient treatment and specialised healthcare at the upazila level.

Officials hope the upgraded facilities will reduce pressure on Sunamganj District Hospital by allowing more patients to receive treatment closer to their homes. It is also expected to lower travel costs and save time for patients who previously had to visit the district headquarters or larger cities for medical care.

Residents said the upgrade comes as a major relief, as many of the upazila health complexes have long struggled with limited bed capacity despite serving a growing population. They expressed hope that the government would now ensure adequate staffing, medicines and diagnostic facilities so the hospitals can operate at their full capacity.

The nationwide programme is part of the government's broader efforts to improve public healthcare and make quality medical services more accessible across the country.