Govt approves establishment of new medical college in Thakurgaon

The government has approved the establishment of a new public medical college in Thakurgaon, aiming to expand medical education and improve healthcare services in the country’s northern region.

A gazette notification issued by the Health Education and Family Welfare Division under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday (May 13) confirmed the approval of “Thakurgaon Medical College.”

According to the notification, the approval was granted in the public interest under the authority of the President and took immediate effect.

With the addition of the new institution, the total number of government medical colleges in Bangladesh has increased to 38.

The approval fulfils a long-standing demand of residents in Thakurgaon and surrounding northern districts, where access to higher medical education and advanced healthcare facilities has remained limited for years.

Officials say the new medical college will create opportunities for local students to pursue medical studies closer to home, while also strengthening healthcare services for the wider region.

According to the latest data from the Directorate General of Medical Education, Bangladesh previously had 37 public and 66 private medical colleges in operation. In addition, six medical colleges are run under the direct supervision of the Bangladesh Army.