News Flash
DHAKA, Dec 15, 2025 (BSS) - Providing quality government healthcare at low or no cost remains a major challenge in Bangladesh. However, Maternal and Child Health Training Institute (MCHTI), Azimpur, Dhaka stands out as a rare success story, delivering almost free healthcare services to countless mothers and children every day and earning widespread public trust.
Recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF as a Child-Friendly Hospital in 1997, the institution has long been a beacon of reliable maternal and child healthcare. Despite its achievements, authorities have emphasized the urgent need to increase ICU (Intensive Care Unit) facilities and manpower to further enhance service quality.
In a recent interview with Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), MCHTI Director Dr. Rashidul Alam said the hospital is a specialized institution dedicated exclusively to women and children.
"Maternal and Child Health Training Institute (MCHTI), Azimpur has gained a strong reputation, particularly for its prenatal and postnatal services. Although we face shortages of medicines and manpower, we are actively working to address these challenges. Overall, the hospital has maintained its good reputation for a long time and remains a place of trust for poor and low-income people," he said.
The 173-bed hospital currently operates with 116 gynaecological and obstetrical beds and 57 paediatric beds. Of the total capacity, 109 beds are non-paying and 64 are paying. Among the non-paying beds, there are 12 post-operative, 18 labour wards, 18 gynaecological, 39 paediatric and 22 maternity beds. The paying section includes 18 paediatric, 6 gynaecological, 24 maternity beds and 16 cabins. Healthcare remains highly affordable, with outpatient tickets priced at just Tk 5 and inpatient tickets at Tk 10.
Beyond treatment, MCHTI plays a vital role in training and research. Dr. Alam noted that the institute provides extensive training programs for midwives, gynaecologists, paediatricians, nursing instructors, sub-assistant community medical officers (SACMOs), community health care providers (CHCPs), senior staff nurses, nurses, family welfare inspectors (FWVs) and family welfare assistants (FWAs).
Training areas include safe delivery, emergency neonatal care, nutrition for newborns and growing children, breastfeeding and lactation counselling, family planning methods, antenatal and postnatal counselling, reduction of maternal and child mortality, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), community skilled birth attendants (CSBA), emergency obstetric care (EOC), antenatal care (ANC), postnatal care (PNC), clinical contraception, AIDS, RTI and STI, CME, IUCD, and training of trainers (TOT) on surgical research.
Established in 1953 with just 20 beds, the hospital was fully renovated in 2000 with assistance from the Japanese government and has since expanded to its current capacity of 173 beds.
Dr. Alam emphasized that the MCHTI serves as a trusted healthcare centre for a large population in Old Dhaka, particularly middle-class and low-income communities.
"Patients receive childbirth facilities, medicines and diagnostic tests either free of cost or at minimal expense. As a result, people come not only from Azimpur but also from Gazipur, Keraniganj and Nawabganj for treatment," he said.
According to the director, the hospital maintains an average occupancy rate of 75 to 80 percent and strictly avoids admitting patients beyond its bed capacity. However, the shortage of manpower has made it difficult to ensure 24-hour outdoor services, though care continues uninterrupted.
He added that expectant mothers who register early receive comprehensive care, including diagnosis, antenatal monitoring and necessary medical support.
Alongside maternity services, the hospital also provides family planning, gynaecological care, and a wide range of paediatric treatments. Notably, all deliveries are conducted by female doctors, ensuring comfort and confidence for patients.
Despite ongoing challenges, the MCHTI continues to stand as a model of compassionate, affordable and trusted maternal and child healthcare in Bangladesh.
