DHAKA: The government has approved in principle the drafts of 'Chittagong Medical University Act-2015' and 'Rajshahi Medical University Act-2015' in a bid to provide better medical services.

The approval came from a weekly meeting of the cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, at the secretariat on Monday.

After the meeting, cabinet secretary Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan informed the matter to reporters.

He said the universities are being established to create more specialist physicians in the country aimed at improving healthcare services.

The draft acts consisting 57 sections which can be changed, modified. In the acts, authorities concerned were asked to make policies, course outlines, objectives, power of administrative bodies, jurisdiction of University Grants Commission (UGC) and other related regulations for establishing the universities.

As per the decision taken in the National Health Council in March last year, the two universities would be established, the secretary added

According to him, all medical colleges in Chittagong and Rajshahi regions including existing Chittagong Medical College (CMC) and Rajshahi Medical College (RMC) would be affiliated with the proposed universities.

The universities would provide education in post-graduate level and bachelor degrees in nursing as well, Mosharraf said.

The proposed universities will also have syndicates, academic councils and committees for deans, curriculum, finance and disciplinary sectors.

President of the country will be the chancellor of the universities, to have two vice-chancellors.

The tenure of the vice-chancellor and pro vice-chancellors will be four years which is subject to be extended for second term.

Vice-Chancellor of the university will be the head of the syndicate to be comprised of representatives of different professions including two parliament members, pro vice-chancellors, deans and representatives of the government.

Earlier on November 22 last year, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said two medical universities would be established in Chittagong and Rajshahi respectively with a view to providing better treatment.

On November 5, health and family welfare minister Mohammed Nasim also said that the process of turning Chittagong and Rajshahi medical colleges into universities is underway and 10,000 more nurses are also being recruited for government hospitals and health centers soon.

BDST: 1307 HRS, MAR 23, 2015