Bangladesh Railway Hospitals will soon be accessible to the general public, Railways Adviser Fouzul Kabir announced on Monday, marking a shift from their previous use exclusively for railway staff and their families.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Railway Ministry and Health Ministry at the secretariat.

The Secretary of the Health Services Division and the Director General of Bangladesh Railway signed the MoU on behalf of their respective sides.

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Following infrastructure and healthcare service upgrades, the public will have access to medical services at 10 railway hospitals nationwide and a team from the Health Ministry will inspect the railway hospitals next week to assess the required infrastructural improvements and submit a report in this regard.

Besides, necessary steps will be taken for infrastructural development based on the report given by the Health Ministry, said Adviser Fouzul Kabir.

Meanwhile, Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum said that it is not feasible to immediately open the railway hospitals to the public.

“However, efforts will be made to provide medical services to the public as quickly as possible,” she said, adding the Health Ministry will formulate a policy in this regard.

She said the country faces a shortage of 8,000 doctors and 2,000 doctors will be recruited through a special BCS examination by September 15.

Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum stated that it is not possible to open the railway hospitals to the public immediately.

Every effort will be made to provide medical services to the public as soon as possible, and the Ministry of Health will formulate a policy regarding this matter.

The adviser also mentioned that there is currently a shortage of 8,000 doctors in the country. Some 2,000 doctors will be recruited through a special BCS exam by September 15, she added.

There are 10 railway hospitals across the country, with a total of beds 431. Until now, these hospitals were reserved for railway officers and employees.

The health adviser mentioned that both short- and long-term plans will be formulated to ensure public access to treatment alongside railway officials and the general public.