Rajshahi Shishu hospital awaits opening despite completed infrastructure

A dedicated children's hospital in Rajshahi, completed more than three years ago, has yet to begin operations, even as nearby facilities continue to face mounting pressure from pediatric patients. The 200-bed Rajshahi Shishu Hospital, which includes a 56-bed intensive care unit (ICU), was scheduled to open in June 2023. Although construction work was finished in 2022, administrative processes and staffing approvals are still pending, delaying its inauguration.

Meanwhile, Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) is managing a significantly higher number of child patients than its capacity allows. With 200 pediatric beds and only 12 ICU beds, the hospital is currently accommodating several times more patients than intended. Many children are sharing beds or staying in corridors while awaiting treatment. Hospital sources indicate that a number of critically ill children are also waiting for ICU support, reflecting the urgent need for expanded pediatric care facilities in the region.

The children's hospital, built on 2.44 acres in the TB Pukur area at a cost of Tk 35 crore, was originally approved in 2015 to improve healthcare services for children. Despite the completion of physical infrastructure-including operation theatres and diagnostic services such as X-ray, CT scan, and MRI-the facility remains unused. Officials say the delay is largely due to uncertainty over administrative responsibility and the approval of a staffing structure. Relevant authorities have sought guidance from the Ministry of Health regarding operational management, but a final decision is still awaited.

Healthcare professionals emphasize that once operational, the hospital could significantly ease the burden on existing facilities and improve access to critical care for children in the Rajshahi region. Authorities are expected to hold further discussions to help move the process forward.