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  250-bed hospital in Sylhet to be launched soon

• Closed IT park in Sylhet to be reopened quickly

TDS Desk:

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has announced that 100,000 health workers will be recruited across the country to raise public awareness about health and disease prevention. He said 80% of the recruits will be women, who will work at the grassroots level by visiting households.

He made the announcement while speaking as the chief guest at a public meeting (Suddhi Sammelan) organized by the Sylhet City Corporation on Saturday morning.

The event was held after the foundation stone was laid for a beautification and flood-control infrastructure project on both banks of the Surma River in Sylhet city, chaired by Sylhet City Corporation Administrator Abdul Qayyum Chowdhury.

The prime minister said the new health workers will educate people in rural areas about diet, diabetes prevention, heart health, and hygiene practices, with the aim of reducing the number of patients nationwide. “If we can create awareness, the number of sick people will decrease, and those who do fall ill will receive better treatment,” he said.

He also acknowledged the disparity in healthcare access between urban and rural areas, saying that while city residents receive some level of medical services, rural populations remain largely underserved. He added that awareness-based prevention will be a key strategy to reduce the burden on the healthcare system.

Flood control and infrastructure plans

Addressing waterlogging issues, he said heavy rainfall has caused widespread flooding in districts such as Sunamganj, Kishoreganj, Mymensingh, and Netrokona, affecting farmers. He also noted that excessive groundwater extraction has lowered water levels in several regions, including Sylhet.

To address these issues, the government has launched a nationwide canal excavation program to improve drainage and reduce waterlogging.

He further said efforts are underway to quickly open the 250-bed hospital under Sylhet Medical College, with plans to expand it to 1,200 beds in the future.

Environmental concerns and public awareness

The prime minister warned about environmental degradation caused by plastic and polythene waste, citing accumulation in rivers such as the Surma and Buriganga. He said pollution has made river water toxic and urged citizens to dispose of waste properly.

He emphasized the importance of educating schoolchildren about environmental protection, saying children can influence their families more effectively than adults.

Transport and connectivity plans

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman said road development alone is not enough and stressed the importance of expanding the railway network to ensure low-cost and efficient transportation. He said improving rail connectivity will reduce travel expenses and save time, while also helping ease traffic congestion that increases as more roads are built.

He noted that Bangladesh, though densely populated, has limited land and is an agriculture-based country, so road construction often reduces valuable farmland. He added that the government is working on expanding railways, including introducing double-line tracks, alongside ongoing road development.

IT park and youth employment

He said Sylhet’s inactive IT park will be reopened soon to support freelancing and IT-related employment for young people. The government is also upgrading vocational institutions to better align education with job market needs.

Speakers at the civic meeting included Minister for Commerce, Industry, Textiles and Jute Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare, Foreign Employment, Labour and Employment Ariful Haque Choudhury, Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir, Chief Whip of the National Parliament Alhaj GK Gause, and Sylhet City Corporation Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Razaie Rafin Sarker, among others.

In his presidential address, Sylhet City Corporation Administrator Abdul Qayyum Chowdhury said former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia upgraded Sylhet to a city corporation in 2002. He added that under the guidance of her son, Tarique Rahman, efforts are underway to transform Sylhet into a clean and green city. He also said that instructions from the prime minister are being strictly followed to develop Sylhet as a clean urban area.

First Sylhet visit after taking office

The prime minister said the current government is still in its early phase but has already begun implementing election commitments.

Earlier in the day, he visited the Shah Jalal Shrine, laid the foundation for development projects, and inaugurated flood-control infrastructure near the Surma River.

He also arrived at Osmani International Airport via a US-Bangla Airlines flight, where he was received by senior ministers and officials.

Later programs included inaugurating the excavation of the Baisha River, launching a youth sports event at Sylhet District Stadium, and attending a party meeting at Sylhet District Shilpakala Academy before departing for Dhaka in the evening.

The prime minister was accompanied by his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman.