Apollo Hospital in Dhaka

India-based Apollo Hospitals on Wednesday opened its services in Bangladesh, becoming the first private multi-purpose facility in the country that would pave the way for better treatment of the people.

Inaugurating the services of the hospital, built at a cost of $35 million, Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia said, "I hope such initiatives will help improve the country's health sector and pave the way for improved treatment for the people of Bangladesh".

Zia asked the hospital management to keep the costs within the reach of the people who need specialised treatment.

The hospital officials said the facility would be able to deliver advanced tertiary care of international standards at an affordable price in the country. Fifty per cent of the total cost of the hospital, a joint project of Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited and STS Group, was funded by nine private commercial banks of Bangladesh in a syndicated loan.

The hospital, located in Dhaka's Bashundhara area, will be a franchise of the India-based Apollo Hospitals Group, which already has more than 30 other hospitals in South Asia, including one in Sri Lanka.

"Our mission is to bring healthcare of international standards within the reach of every individual in Bangladesh through a world-class service," Richard Larison, chief executive officer of the Hospital, said.