Grants for private drug treatment and rehabilitation centers in Bangladesh

To improve the quality of drug treatment and rehabilitation services, for the third time, the Government of Bangladesh has provided grants to private drug treatment and rehabilitation centers across the country.

Moreover, the government has also taken initiatives to increase demand reduction programs. The number of quality rehabilitation facilities in the country is inadequate in proportion to the number of drug users.   

A total of 40 private rehabilitation centers received grants this year. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan has handed over the grants to the owners of the private drug treatment and rehabilitation centres at a programme at the ministry on 24 May 2022. 

Among others, three drug treatment and rehabilitation centers of Dhaka Ahsania Mission have received grants this year.

Recently, the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) sought applications from rehabilitation centers across the country. About 152 private drug treatment and rehabilitation centers applied for grants.

After scrutiny, 40 of them were selected to receive the grants. The highest grant amount for this year is USD 9,143 and the lowest is USD 2,230. Grants are given to those who are providing services in accordance with DNC rules, providing satisfactory treatment to patients and participating in anti-drug campaigns. The government has inadequate facilities for drug rehab centres and the country has only four government rehabilitation centres in four divisional headquarters. According to DNC data, 362 private drug treatment and rehabilitation centres are operational across the country.