Dhaka, Nov. 9 -- Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has announced plans to build six 100-bed hospitals in industrial areas across the country to provide healthcare exclusively for workers.

He outlined the initiative in parliament on Monday, replying to a question from BNP MP Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas.

The hospitals are planned for Tongi, Ashulia, Kaliakair, Narayanganj, Savar and Chattogram.

Shimul had asked whether the government had specific plans to ensure healthcare for low-income workers and their families.

Thanking the MP, Tarique said the government was giving serious consideration to workers' healthcare.

He accused the previous authoritarian administration of deliberately weakening the country's health system, particularly in r...