The approval came from the weekly Cabinet meeting held with Prime Minister Sheikh in the chair at her office in the city.

“The bill was designed in line with the Dhaka Children Hospital Ordinance, 2008,” said Cabinet Secretary Khander Anwarul Islam while briefing reporters at the Secretariat.

The draft law was prepared merging Dhaka Shishu (Children) Hospital and Bangladesh Institute of Child Health for ensuring better healthcare services for  children, he said.

Now Bangladesh Institute of Child Health is the academic wing of Dhaka Shishu Hospital.

The Cabinet Secretary said the Dhaka Shishu Hospital Ordinance, 2008 was promulgated during the caretaker government in 2008.

Some 54 ordinances, out of 122, promulgated during the caretaker government were approved in Parliament following the recommendations of the special committee of the 9th parliament. But the Dhaka Shishu Hospital Ordinance and 67 others were not endorsed at that time, he said.

So, there is no complete law or ordinance over regulation and supervision of the activities of Dhaka Children Hospital, said Khander Anwarul Islam.

As per the 21 article of the draft law, there will be a 12-member board of directors to run the hospital as an autonomous body.

The Cabinet also approved the draft of the proposed agreement to be signed between Bangladesh and Greece over education and cultural cooperation, said the Cabinet Secretary.

He said Bangladesh has already signed agreements over cultural cooperation with 44 countries to strengthen cultural ties with those.

In reply to a question from reporters, the Cabinet Secretary said the Korean government wants to provide Bangladesh with newer technology to scan any kind of virus.

“But the Korean government is yet to place any written proposal in this regard. After getting formal letter, we will inform you (media) the matter,” he said.