ICUs set to go operational in 10 district hospitals today

The government is set to expand critical healthcare capacity at the district level with the launch of intensive care unit (ICU) services in 10 district hospitals across the country under the Emergency Response and Pandemic Preparedness (ERPP) project.

The newly established ICUs will be formally inaugurated on Sunday (June 14) by Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain, according to ministry sources.

Officials said each facility has been equipped with pediatric ventilators, oxygen concentrators and other essential critical care equipment, while required medical personnel have also been deployed to ensure full-scale operations.

Health authorities said the initiative is aimed at strengthening emergency and critical care services outside major cities, reducing the need for patients—especially children and critically ill adults—to travel to Dhaka or other metropolitan areas for treatment.

The hospitals where ICU services are being launched include Munshiganj 250-bed District Hospital, Tangail 250-bed District Hospital, Sunamganj 250-bed District Hospital, Gopalganj General Hospital, Chuadanga District Hospital, Narayanganj General (Victoria) Hospital, Jessore 250-bed General Hospital, Sherpur 250-bed District Hospital, Madaripur District Hospital and Bagerhat District Hospital.

With the rollout, authorities expect a significant improvement in emergency response capacity and the availability of advanced life-saving care at the district level, marking a key step toward decentralising critical healthcare services.