Cox’s Bazar is changing rapidly. As a leading tourist destination, the district is experiencing economic activity and pressure on infrastructure. Yet its healthcare system has not kept pace. Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital, the district’s main public hospital, has 250 beds but reportedly receives 5,000–6,000 patients a day. The mismatch reveals shortages of beds, manpower and specialised care.
The pressure extends beyond the headquarters. In Chakaria, home to roughly 545,000 people, the upazila health complex has only 50 approved beds. Patients from remote and island communities often have to travel to Chattogram for advanced treatment. For critically ill patients, such referrals mean higher costs, delays and greater risk. Cox’s Bazar therefore needs a stronger, better-connected healthcare system—not simply another hospital.
The planned 500-bed Cox’s Bazar Medical College Hospital, approved in 2025, is an important step forward. But infrastructure alone cannot solve a systemic problem. Bed capacity and staffing at the upazila level must also increase, while emergency, trauma and specialist services need strengthening. Better ambulance coverage and referral systems are essential for timely care closer to home.
The district’s tourism economy also presents an opportunity to rethink healthcare financing. Tourism generates substantial economic activity and public revenue through taxes, fees and other charges. A share of tourism-related public revenue could therefore be reinvested in local healthcare. During Eid-ul-Adha in 2025, tourism businesses expected to generate more than Tk 700 crore. Countries such as Thailand and India also use tourist-focused medical support, including mobile medical units and emergency services in tourist areas. Cox’s Bazar could consider similar arrangements during peak seasons, while ensuring tourism revenue supports essential local services.
The private sector can expand specialised care, diagnostics and emergency services, but such partnerships require clear standards, affordability and oversight. Commercial expansion cannot replace the government’s responsibility to ensure accessible healthcare.
Cox’s Bazar’s development should not be measured only by tourists or hotels, but by whether its people can access quality healthcare and whether the district can meet visitors’ emergency needs.
If tourism is transforming Cox’s Bazar’s economy, healthcare must be part of that transformation—turning growth into a foundation for a healthier and more resilient district.
By Salam Abu
Editor
