China is set to build a specialized hospital in Bangladesh, with an investment of Tk 2,000 crore, to provide high-quality healthcare services for the country’s citizens.
Shafiqul Alam, the press secretary of the chief adviser, revealed in a recent interview that China is currently seeking an appropriate location for the project. “China will begin construction immediately after securing the site,” Alam said.
This move comes as a response to India’s recent decision to suspend visa issuance for Bangladeshis following political unrest, including the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5. The visa restrictions have significantly disrupted the flow of Bangladeshi medical tourists to India, who previously sought treatment in cities like Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Delhi.
According to an Indian media report, nearly 20 lakh international patients visit India annually for medical care, with about 60 percent of them coming from Bangladesh. With the new hospital in Bangladesh, China aims to alleviate the strain on patients and provide economic benefits to the nation.
Alam also highlighted China’s continued support for Bangladesh, noting that the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University has dedicated an entire floor to Bangladeshi patients, offering various services including interpreters.
