Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) will be turned into a 5,000-bed hospital, Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Malik said yesterday.

“We are designing its expansion and expect to get it approved in three months,” Malik told journalists at a press conference at the health ministry, where he announced his 100-day programme as part of the ministry's initiative to improve the country's overall healthcare services.

DMCH, which was established in 1946, is considered a definitive healthcare institution in Bangladesh. Now the 2,300-bed hospital provides services to around 3,500 patients every day.

“Dhaka Medical College Hospital will be world's largest hospital,” said Zahid Malik.

The minister also said the government will provide free healthcare services to patients aged below one year and above 65, as per his party's (Awami League) election manifesto. “Details regarding this are being worked out,” he said.

The health ministry will begin a stringent anti-corruption campaign in the health sector to improve governance, he said, as reporters asked him about recent corruption allegations against two employees of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Within 100 days, Zahid Malik said, the ministry will set up monitoring cells -- up to upazila level -- and will conduct regular visits to hospitals to ensure that those maintain cleanliness and provide proper healthcare to patients.

The ministry also launched a complaint corner for people who face problems while seeking healthcare, he told journalists. They can directly complain online to the minister, he added.

Asked about non-utilisation of medical equipment in the public hospitals, he said from now on the hospitals will not buy any equipment without prior approval of the ministry.

State minister for health Dr Murad Hasan; health secretary Ashadul Islam, among others, were present at the press conference.