Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday promised to set up five more medical universities in five divisional headquarters, if her party is re-elected in the next national election.

“...If we can form government again, then Insha'allah we'll set up five more medical universities in five divisional headquarters,” she said.

The prime minister said this while inaugurating the 250-bed Sheikh Russel Gastrolever Institute and Hospital at Mohakhali in the city.

Currently, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University is in operation in Dhaka, while medical universities in Rajshahi, Sylhet and Chattogram are under construction.

About the national election, Sheikh Hasina said the election can be held 90 days prior to the completion of the Parliament's tenure. “The Election Commission may announce the election schedule any time...we'll participate in the election,” she said.

She mentioned that if people vote for the Awami League again, it will be possible for the party to serve them. “If there's continuity [of the government], we'll be able to achieve the targets we have set.”

The prime minister said the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will be celebrated in 2020, while the golden jubilee of the independence will be observed in 2021. The government has set a target to make the country a developed one by 2041, while formulated the Delta Plan 2100, she added.

Addressing physicians, she put emphasis on research to find out which diseases people of the country suffer from the most, and what type of medicines would be most effective for them. “I think, research on this issue is very much important.”

The PM mentioned that the main objective of the medical universities will be to conduct research.

“Research will be conducted at the medical universities firstly, while medical colleges will be affiliated with these universities in their respective areas. The medical universities will take care of the standards of the curricula of the medical colleges,” she said.

Chaired by Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammed Nasim, the inaugural programme was also addressed by State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Zahid Maleque, PM's personal physician Dr Mohammad Sirajul Islam Shishir and Family Welfare Secretary Serajul Huq Khan.

The PM asked administrative officials, doctors and all others concerned for proper operation and maintenance of the medical institutes and hospitals to ensure healthcare services to people.  She said the government is trying hard to bring health services to people's doorsteps.

On the occasion, the PM also inaugurated the newly-constructed National Institute of Laboratory Medicine and Referral Centre, and laid the foundation stone of the vertical extensions of National Institute of Mental Health Hospital; Suharawardi Hospital; Institute of Kidney Diseases and Urology Hospital; Mugda Hospital-Dhaka; Asthma Center-Dhaka and Health Management Institute in Savar.