History of the Health Engineering Department (HED)

The Health Engineering Department (HED) plays a unique architect's role in the infrastructural development for public health protection in Bangladesh. Although HED, the dedicated engineering agency under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, is now so organized, its path to establishment was not easy at all. Immediately after independence, the need for infrastructural development of the country's healthcare system became evident. To meet this need, the "Building Planning and Design Unit (BPDU)" was formed with only 24 personnel, operating under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Over time, it transformed through various forms, becoming known as CMC and later CMMU. Finally, as a result of the sacrifice and relentless hard work of many people, this institution emerged as the "Health Engineering Department (HED)" on March 22, 2010. Born from that small initiative for health infrastructure development, HED has now grown into a mighty tree, with its branches spreading to every corner of the country. Under its umbrella, the construction, renovation, and maintenance of infrastructure under the Ministry of Health—including hospitals, family welfare centers, training centers, and medical colleges—are being conducted smoothly and efficiently. The Health Engineering Department is determined to construct quality, aesthetically pleasing health infrastructure with adequate facilities on time and at minimal cost, using modern technology with limited manpower.

History of the Establishment of the Health Engineering Department

BPDU: In 1974, the Building Planning and Design Unit (BPDU) was established under the Health Wing of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. BPDU's head office was located at 105-106, Motijheel, Dhaka. With 24 personnel, this unit conducted various construction, repair, and renovation works through the Health Wing.

CMC: In 1979, the Construction Management Cell (CMC) was formed under the Family Planning Wing. Its head office was located in the Green Super Market, Green Road, Dhaka. With a total of 124 personnel, this institution managed the construction, repair, and renovation of various infrastructures for the Family Planning Department.

CMMU: In 1992, the BPDU and CMC projects merged to emerge as a single project titled the Construction and Maintenance Management Unit (CMMU). Its head office was successively located at House No. 64, Road No. 9/A, Dhanmondi, Dhaka; House No. 80, Road No. 11, Banani, Dhaka; and later House No. 94, Road No. 4, Banani, Dhaka, before being shifted to 105-106, Motijheel Commercial Area, Dhaka in 1997. Subsequently, from January 1, 1997, CMMU was temporarily transferred to the revenue sector with 386 personnel.

HED: To ensure health services for the people and to bring transparency, accountability, and dynamism to the construction, maintenance, repair, and project implementation of physical infrastructure under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Health Engineering Department (HED) was established on March 22, 2010. Its head office is located at 105-106, Motijheel Commercial Area, Dhaka. However, the construction of HED's own 14-story building (including 3 basements) in Agargaon, Dhaka, has been completed and is currently awaiting inauguration.

Currently, the Health Engineering Department, with its head office in Dhaka, 8 Circle Offices in divisional cities, 30 Executive Engineer's Offices, and 67 Assistant Engineer's Offices at the district level, has been efficiently completing the construction and repair of health and family planning infrastructure nationwide. As the scope of HED's work has expanded over time, plans are being made to establish offices up to the upazila level in the future.