Adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD), Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan, on Tuesday said the government aims to provide primary healthcare to urban residents through city corporations and municipalities under the second phase of the “Urban Primary Health Care Services Delivery Project.”

He made the remarks at an inauguration ceremony of newly constructed buildings for three urban maternal centers and eight urban health centers.

The adviser said the project is being implemented by the Local Government Division. Currently, across 11 city corporations and 18 municipalities, 45 urban maternal centers, 167 urban health centers, and 334 satellite centers are providing 17 types of quality health services, including reproductive health, family planning, child health, and nutrition services.

He added that the project, financed by the Government of Bangladesh and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), has become a milestone in providing healthcare services to urban poor populations. Around 30 percent of the poor population receive services free of cost, while other patients access quality services at minimal fees.

Asif Mahmud said that after ADB funding concluded, the Local Government Division has been continuing the healthcare program through city corporations and municipalities under its own management since July 1, 2025. He also requested ADB’s support for the speedy implementation of the third phase of the project.

The project’s estimated cost is Tk 1,209.25 crore, covering a population of approximately 17 million. Under the project, the newly constructed three urban maternal centers and eight urban health centers were built at a cost of nearly Tk 80 crore through a deposit system under LGD supervision.

He further stated that the Local Government Division continues to coordinate with the Ministry of Health to ensure primary healthcare services for the public.