The government is taking strict measures to rid the country’s public hospitals of touts, or “dalals,” Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain has said. He said brokers involved in steering patients toward private clinics and hospitals are being identified and arrested.
The minister made the remarks Friday (Sept. 4) responding to reporters’ questions after inspecting Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital. Commerce, Industries, and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir was also present. The health minister said RAB, DGFI, SB and other relevant law enforcement agencies are working in a coordinated manner to act against brokers. He said the government is working with the highest priority to eliminate irregularities in the health sector and ensure quality healthcare for the public. He said cleanliness, doctors’ attendance, patient care and food quality at public hospitals are all being monitored. He said he has personally inspected more than 25 hospitals nationwide over the past month, and that doctors’ attendance was found satisfactory at most of them. He said officials are speaking directly with patients to gather information about their complaints and the quality of care.
On the vaccination campaign to prevent measles, the minister said some children remain outside the immunization program due to age restrictions, information gaps and other factors, and measles has appeared among these unvaccinated children. In response, he said, the government is conducting a mop-up campaign. A large-scale vaccination drive will resume later this month. He said vaccination efforts are being strengthened in Sylhet’s haor (wetland) region and other geographically remote areas, with special attention in every upazila to begin vaccination ahead of the main campaign.
The health minister said action is also being taken against illegal clinics, hospitals and medical operations. Regular mobile courts are being conducted at the district level, imposing fines and shutting down facilities. Facilities without an approved labor room are being closed, he said. Strict action is also being taken against surgeries and medical procedures performed by unlicensed doctors, technicians or unauthorized individuals. “It has only been six months since I took office,” the minister said. “Resolving the health sector’s existing problems will take some more time.”
Regarding cleanliness and infrastructure issues at Osmani Medical College Hospital, he said hospital authorities have been given the necessary directives. Drainage and cleanliness issues will be resolved quickly, he said, with problems to be identified and addressed within the next seven days. Those present during the inspection included Sylhet Medical University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Dr. Ziaur Rahman Chowdhury; Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Principal Professor Dr. Mostafa Toufique Ahmed; hospital director Brig. Gen. Umar Rashed Munir; Sylhet City Corporation Administrator Abdul Kaiyum Chowdhury; Deputy Commissioner Abdullah Al Mamun; Civil Surgeon Md. Nasir Uddin; and various other government officials and media personnel.