The government has extended the number of afternoon chambers by doctors at state-run hospitals to 183.

The afternoon chamber by doctors at government hospitals has been extended from the previous 51 hospitals to a total of 183 hospitals, Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque said while addressing a meeting on increasing the number of state-run hospitals where doctors can offer additional services in exchange of fees after hours at the conference room of Health Ministry.

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With the addition of four major hospitals including neuroscience hospitals, National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, National Institute of Ophthalmology & Hospital, National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR) into the newly launched service, the people of the country will get more services from now on.

“The people are happy with the introduction of afternoon chambers in government hospitals. That’s why we’re increasing the numbers,” he said.

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According to information provided during the briefing, 7463 patients have received services from afternoon chambers for various diseases at 51 hospitals outside Dhaka.

From these services, Tk 51 lakh has been deposited in the government treasury. From this money, the fees of the doctors will be distributed, the health minister said.

Participating online from Cumilla’s Chandina, local MP Prof. Dr. Pran Gopal Dutta said, "We can understand how good the decision to provide after-hour services has been by talking to the local people.”

He thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for taking this decision.

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Regarding the increase in dengue cases across the country, the health minister said 3,390 patients have been admitted to government hospitals and 26 have died since January last year.

The health minister advised the people to be careful about the dengue situation.