Bangladesh Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases (BITID), Fouzderhat

About Hospital

BITID is a specialised government postgraduate institute and hospital dedicated to the research, diagnosis, and treatment of tropical and infectious diseases in Bangladesh. It is located at Salimpur, Jafarabad, Fouzderhat, in Sitakunda Upazila, roughly 11 kilometers northeast of Chattogram city center along the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway, making it easily reachable in about 20 to 30 minutes from the city.

The institute was established in 2013 under the government's Health, Population and Nutrition Sector Programme, with an attached 20-bed Infectious Disease Hospital, and is academically affiliated with Chittagong Medical College. Since its founding, BITID has expanded its site with dedicated research wings to strengthen its operational capacity.

BITID hosts the Rodolphe Merieux Laboratory, a specialised research facility focused on tuberculosis, respiratory infections, and enteric infections, and is part of a network of just seven such laboratories worldwide. The institute is also involved in diagnostic collaborations, including Xpert testing for tuberculosis and drug-resistant tuberculosis with the national TB programme, and identifying resistant malaria among the Rohingya population alongside the national malaria elimination programme.

The institute played a significant public health role during the 2017 measles outbreak in the remote Tripurapara area of Sitakunda Upazila, where low vaccination coverage had contributed to child deaths from measles complicated by pneumonia and septicaemia. BITID admitted 99 affected children for treatment, later transferring 65 of them to Chittagong Medical College Hospital for intensive care.

Emergency Contact

Office Phone: 02333398016

Director's Number: 01711439868

Alternate DGHS-listed number (please verify): 0244075160

Email: bitid@hospi.dghs.gov.bd

Address: Salimpur, Jafarabad, Fouzderhat, Sitakunda, Chattogram-4317

Ambulance Number: please verify with hospital reception

Official Website: bitid.gov.bd

Hospital Overview (Quick Facts)

Founded

Established in 2013 under the government's Health, Population and Nutrition Sector Programme, with an attached 20-bed Infectious Disease Hospital.

Speciality

BITID specialises in tropical and infectious diseases, combining clinical treatment with research and diagnostic capacity, including a dedicated Rodolphe Merieux Laboratory that is one of only seven such facilities worldwide.

Number of Beds

20 beds at the attached Infectious Disease Hospital, as per official records. Please verify current operational capacity, as this may have expanded since establishment given the site's reported growth.

Departments

BITID's work centers on Infectious Disease and Tropical Medicine, including diagnosis and management of tuberculosis and drug-resistant tuberculosis, malaria, dengue fever, typhoid, and HIV. The institute also runs an MD (Infectious Disease and Tropical Medicine) postgraduate residency programme.

Popular Treatments

Given its specialisation, BITID is particularly relied upon for tuberculosis (including drug-resistant cases), malaria, dengue, typhoid, and outbreak response for infectious diseases such as measles, alongside HIV-related care. Specific high-volume treatment categories were not independently verified beyond these - please verify.

Doctor List

A complete, current doctor list was not compiled from public sources in this content - please verify directly with the hospital or its official website (bitid.gov.bd) for current consultants and duty doctors.

Facilities Available

20-bed Infectious Disease Hospital

Rodolphe Merieux Laboratory for tuberculosis, respiratory, and enteric infection research

Diagnostic services including Gene Xpert testing for tuberculosis and drug-resistant tuberculosis

Malaria diagnostic collaboration with the national malaria elimination programme

Academic and training facilities linked with the Institute of Health Technology and Fouzderhat Nursing College

Outbreak response capacity, demonstrated during the 2017 measles outbreak

Pharmacy and general diagnostic services (please verify full list and availability)

OPD Timing

Specific OPD hours were not confirmed from available online sources. As a government specialised institute, it likely follows standard weekday hours, but patients should please verify exact timing by calling the hospital directly before visiting.

How to Reach

BITID sits directly on the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway (N1) at Fouzderhat, Sitakunda, making it accessible by private vehicle, taxi, or microbus from Chattogram city in about 20 to 30 minutes. Local buses run frequently from Chattogram's GEC Circle and Agrabad areas to Fouzderhat Bus Stop, and nearby train stops also serve the area.

Why Patients Choose This Hospital

One of the few dedicated infectious and tropical disease specialist institutes in Bangladesh

Home to an internationally networked research laboratory (Rodolphe Merieux Laboratory)

Strong track record in outbreak response, including the 2017 measles crisis

Collaboration with national TB and malaria elimination programmes for advanced diagnostics

Academic affiliation with Chittagong Medical College, bringing specialist-level expertise

Hospital at a Glance

Name: Bangladesh Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases (BITID)

Type: Government Postgraduate Institute and Specialised Hospital

Established: 2013

Beds: 20 (Infectious Disease Hospital)

Location: Fouzderhat, Sitakunda, Chattogram-4317

Phone: 02333398016

Email: bitid@hospi.dghs.gov.bd

Website: bitid.gov.bd

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Why is BITID considered a global research site, not just a local hospital?

It hosts the Rodolphe Merieux Laboratory, one of only seven such facilities in the world, focused on tuberculosis and respiratory and enteric infection research - putting a small institute in Fouzderhat on an international research map.

Q2: How did BITID respond during the 2017 measles outbreak?

After child deaths from measles complications in Sitakunda's Tripurapara area, BITID admitted 99 affected children for treatment, later transferring 65 of the more critical cases to Chittagong Medical College Hospital for intensive care.

Q3: With only 20 beds, how does BITID manage tuberculosis and malaria cases?

Rather than relying on bed capacity alone, BITID partners directly with the national TB and malaria elimination programmes, using tools like Gene Xpert testing to diagnose drug-resistant tuberculosis and resistant malaria, including among the Rohingya population.

Q4: Is BITID only a hospital, or does it also train medical professionals?

Both. It runs an MD residency programme in Infectious Disease and Tropical Medicine and is involved in academic activities with the Institute of Health Technology and Fouzderhat Nursing College since 2013.

Q5: How far is BITID from Chattogram city, and how do you actually get there?

About 20 to 30 minutes by road, sitting directly on the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway. Local buses from GEC Circle or Agrabad run to Fouzderhat Bus Stop, right near the institute.

Medical Disclaimer

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