Government Working to Bring Modern Healthcare to Doorsteps of Marginalized People: Mirza Fakhrul

PNN News Desk | Thakurgaon

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that many poor and marginalized people in the northern region cannot travel to Dhaka for advanced medical treatment due to financial hardship and various limitations.

He said the government is committed to ensuring access to modern and quality healthcare services for ordinary people in rural areas.

The minister made the remarks as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of a four-day special eye camp organized with assistance from the Government of Nepal at Thakurgaon Diabetic and Healthcare Hospital on Sunday (August 2).

Mirza Fakhrul said the special eye camp was possible as a result of the existing bilateral friendly relations between Bangladesh and Nepal. He said such initiatives would play an important role in providing advanced treatment to eye patients in the northern region and preventing blindness.

He added that expanding similar eye camp activities to every upazila of Thakurgaon district is being considered gradually.

Highlighting healthcare development initiatives in Thakurgaon, the minister said student admission at Thakurgaon Medical College is expected to begin officially from next year. He added that construction work on the main infrastructure of the proposed medical college is expected to begin within the next few months.

At the event, officials said Thakurgaon’s 250-bed General Hospital has already been upgraded to a 600-bed facility considering the growing demand for healthcare services. This is expected to increase treatment opportunities for people in the district and surrounding areas.

A 12-member medical team led by renowned Nepali ophthalmologist Professor Dr. Chet Raj Pater is participating in the international healthcare program. The team will provide eye examinations, consultations, and necessary treatments during the four-day camp.

According to Thakurgaon Diabetic Association sources, the institution has previously provided healthcare services to nearly 20,000 eye patients. Around 6,000 patients have already registered for this special eye camp, and authorities expect to provide advanced eye treatment to approximately 3,000 patients in the first phase.

Hundreds of ordinary and underprivileged people from different areas of the district gathered at the hospital premises from Sunday morning to receive free eye treatment.

Deputy Chief of Mission of the Nepal Embassy in Bangladesh Pratik Karki attended the event as a special guest. Padma Narayan Chowdhury was present as an honored guest.

Thakurgaon Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rafiqul Haque, Superintendent of Police Belal Hossain, President of Thakurgaon Diabetic Hospital Dr. Abu Mohammad Khairul Kabir, District BNP President Mirza Faisal Amin, General Secretary Paygam Ali, senior government officials, local dignitaries, and people from various professions were also present.