Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said her government has a plan to set up one medical college hospital in each district, aiming to provide better healthcare services to people.

The Prime Minister said this while speaking at the 43rd annual conference of Bangladesh Ophthalmological Society at Krishibid Institution in the city.

Mentioning the challenge in establishing medical colleges in all districts, Sheikh Hasina said getting faculty members for the medical colleges will be a major problem. "The scarcity of teachers is the main problem for the medical colleges as many physicians are not interested to go outside Dhaka city, but we're trying our best to address the problem," she told the function.

For ensuring better healthcare services at the doorsteps of people, the Prime Minister said the government has already increased the number of beds in hospitals across the country.

Hasina also reiterated here government's plan for setting up a medical university in Sylhet.

The Prime Minister directed the physicians and ophthalmologists to sincerely work so that the people can see an enlightened future and said the government will give posting of eye specialists in every upazila hospital to ensure better treatment to rural patients.

She also directed the authorities concerned to look into the issue of tax and duty on the import of medical equipment required for eye specialists and reduce it to encourage students to study ophthalmology. Earlier, the Prime Minister handed over Alim Memorial Gold Medal to eminent eye specialist Dr Deen Mohammad Nurul Haque for his outstanding role in spreading treatment of eye-related problems across the country.

Presided over by president of Bangladesh Ophthalmological Society Prof Sharfuddin Ahmed, the programme was addressed, among others, by Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammad Nasim, State Minister Zahid Maleque, former adviser to the Prime Minister Dr Syed Modasser Ali, Director General of Health Department Deen Mohammad Nurul Huq.