The new institute for Mother and Child Health and Training (MCHT) In the city is yet another success story In the health sector in fulfillment of the present governments commitment to ensure better health services to the people, reports BSS.

The construction of the Taka 40 core project has already been completed and awaiting its formal inauguration later this month. The Institute, one of the most modern treatment and training centres on Mother and Child Health, was constructed with the financial and technical assistance of the Japanese government at Azimpur in the city.

Minister for Health and Family Welfare Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim yesterday visited the new building of the institute and expressed his profound satisfaction over the successful

completion of the project within the stipulated time.

He went round Its different sections Including the neo-na-tal care unit, operation theatre, ultra-sonogram unit and other wards which were modernised with latest medical equipment and surgical apparatus from Japan.

Secretary of the ministry Sayed Alamgir Farruok Chowdhury, additional secretary D K Nath, senior officials of the health sector and the Japanese officials were present during the visit of the health minister to the institute.

The minister thanked the Japanese government for constructing such a huge and modern health institute with medical and training facilities and asked the authorities concerned to take proper care of this infrastructure as well as the patients who will come here for better treatment.

They said this MCHT centre

was established In 1953 with 20 beds under the Joint collaboration of WHO and UNICEF. The number of its beds rose to 100 in 1960. The past BNP government In 1991 took an Initiative to upgrade this institute but could not perform it.

In 1996. the officials said. Prime Minister Sheikh Haslna took a personal initiative to upgrade this centre into a modern institute, particularly for the mothers and children. The Bangladesh government in 1998 signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Japanese government to upgrade this centre into a 173-bed hospital with modern training and treatment facilities.

The whole building with an imposing look as well as all modern facilities for treatment and training Is seen as a centre of excellence in the health sector.