On Friday afternoon, a high-level inspection and exchange meeting on this initiative was held at the Badamtali BIWTC terminal at Sadarghat in Dhaka. State Minister for Shipping and Bridges Division Md. Rajib Ahsan MP, State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Professor Dr. M A Muhit, and senior officials of the concerned ministries and BIWTC were present.
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Three BIWTC ships being converted into floating hospitals
At the meeting, the State Minister for Health said, ensuring prompt improved medical care for people in coastal and isolated island areas has long been a challenge. Through floating hospitals, it will be possible to provide medical services and medicines to the doorsteps of people in inaccessible areas.
The State Minister for Shipping said, this project is a unique initiative in ensuring basic services for people by using waterways. BIWTC will work to quickly convert the ships into floating hospitals with necessary medical equipment and facilities.
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Officials concerned said, initially the ships will be equipped with modern operating theatres, ICUs, emergency departments, pathology labs and outpatient departments, along with other necessary hospital facilities. As a result, even during disasters and normal times, people in remote riverine areas will be able to receive improved medical care without coming to the mainland.
Necessary directives have been given to those concerned to implement the project quickly. At the meeting, Secretary of Health Services Division Dr. A. N. M. Bazlur Rashid, Secretary of Health Education and Family Welfare Division A K M Benjamin Riazi, and BIWTC Chairman A T M Abdul Bari Danny, along with officials of the two ministries and BIWTC, were present.