Bangladesh plans mental-health services across 500 upazilas

Bangladesh plans to expand community-based mental-health services to 500 upazilas, beginning with a pilot program in 20, state minister for health MA Muhit said Tuesday.

Muhit announced the initiative at a World Mental Health Day seminar at Bangla Academy. He said the plan would connect district and upazila facilities with the National Institute of Mental Health in Dhaka and Pabna Mental Hospital, reducing reliance on major-city institutions.

The minister proposed two- or three-year vocational diploma and technical courses to train counseling and support workers for remote communities. He called on universities and the National Skills Development Authority to help develop a local workforce.

Muhit also urged coordination among the health, social welfare, women and children affairs, and law ministries. The report described the program as planned and did not provide a launch date or funding details for the national expansion.