A TRAINING hospital in Bangladesh was once a dream, but it has now become a reality following funding and support by a Salisbury-based businessman and councillor.

Atiqul Hoque, who owns Hox Brasserie on Fisherton Street, was one of a number of British backers of the hospital in Dhaka which will help improve the standard of healthcare in Bangladesh.

Opened last week by New Forest West MP and International Development minister Desmond Swayne, the project has been undertaken in conjunction with the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS).

It will train around 200 students and Cllr Hoque hopes it will help “revolutionise” healthcare, with the country moving towards a free-at-thepoint-of-service model used by the NHS.

At the moment many people travel abroad for operations, either to Malaysia, Singapore or India, but it is hoped more people will stay in Bangladesh for operations if the college becomes a success.

“It is all about the doctors getting a better education,” he said. “We are highlighting that the NHS, which is the best in the world, is taking the initiative to do something in Bangladesh.

“Healthcare at the moment in Bangladesh is just diabolical, this is the starting point of changing the whole system.”

The project was driven by Dr Raqib Anwar, who was trained at Salisbury District Hospital. The college has 40 beds and will specialise in stomach operations.

It has taken two years for the hospital to be completed and Cllr Hoque hopes it will make a positive impact on the country of his brith.

“I got my inspiration from a man called Ragib Ali,” he added. “He is also from Bangladesh, and is a British citizen and restaurateur who taught me, if ever you want do something, make sure poor people benefit.

“This is a big investment but sometimes in life you have to take a risk. Anybody can use this hospital, and if you are poor enough it will be free.

“In addition, some British surgeons will be teaching students at the hospital and because the RCS is involved hopefully it will help improve relations between the UK and Bangladesh.”