The government has granted administrative approval to increase the bed capacity of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) by 100, raising the total number of authorised beds from 1,200 to 1,300. The approval also formally recognises the hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU), paving the way for dedicated government funding and expanded critical care services.
The approval was communicated through an official letter signed by Kazi Sharif Uddin Ahmed, deputy secretary of the Health Services Division, and sent to the director general of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on July 13.
According to the letter, the government has approved the expansion of the hospital's bed capacity from 1,200 to 1,300 and authorised the operation of healthcare services under the newly added beds, subject to compliance with existing laws, rules and regulations.
RMCH, the largest public tertiary healthcare facility in northwestern Bangladesh, last expanded its official bed capacity in 2013, when it was increased to 1,200 beds. Since then, the hospital has been struggling to cope with a steadily growing number of patients, often forcing many to receive treatment on ward floors and hospital corridors due to overcrowding.
The hospital serves patients from Rajshahi, Rangpur and Khulna divisions and acts as a major referral centre for specialised medical care. Despite its importance, it had not previously received formal government approval for an ICU facility.
Under its own management, the hospital has already been operating a 46-bed ICU. These include 12 beds for adult patients, 16 for elderly patients, 12 for children and six for post-operative critical care. With the latest approval, these beds will now be recognised as government-approved ICU beds.
In addition, 54 new ICU beds will be introduced. The expansion includes 15 beds for pregnant women and mothers, 10 for newborns, 10 for cancer and other critically ill patients, and 19 for patients receiving care at the One-Stop Crisis Centre (OCC). Together, the existing and newly approved facilities will bring the hospital's total ICU capacity to 100 beds.
Dr Abu Hena Mostafa Kamal, in-charge of the ICU at RMCH, welcomed the decision, saying the formal approval would ensure a dedicated government budget for ICU services and significantly improve patient care.
"It took a long time to achieve this approval. The contribution of the media was also significant, as continuous reporting on the challenges helped draw the government's attention," he said.
Healthcare professionals believe the expansion will substantially strengthen critical care services at RMCH and improve access to specialised treatment for millions of people across northwestern Bangladesh.
