Health and family welfare minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain has said: “We do not want anyone to die for lack of treatment. We want to ensure care for poor people with whatever we have.”
He made the remarks during a surprise visit to the Gazaria upazila health complex and 50-bed hospital in Munshiganj at about 10am on Tuesday (September 22).
The minister toured the hospital’s departments and asked about the quality of care, the supply of medicines, the quality of food and the shortage of doctors, among other things. He spent about two and a half hours reviewing the overall situation at the hospital.
During the visit, the health minister said: “Ordinary people elected us with their votes. We have a great responsibility to the public. Their overall welfare rests on our shoulders. There is no point in making excuses about the past any more. We want to bring health care to the doorstep of people across the country.”
He added: “We do not want anyone to die without treatment. We want to ensure care for poor people with whatever we have. That is why this 50-bed hospital will be upgraded to 101 beds.”
The minister also looked into complaints that patients are having tests done outside even though the hospital has government facilities and the laboratory services they need. He promised to take the necessary action and told those responsible to stay vigilant in keeping up the standard of care.
“The government is giving the highest priority to the ongoing reform of the health sector and to carrying out various projects,” the health minister said. “It will take a certain amount of time to remove irregularities from the health sector and make the system of care more efficient and orderly.”
“The government is working to provide health care that meets people’s expectations,” he said. “Government hospitals must make the fullest use of their existing facilities to ensure treatment for ordinary people.”
Kamruzzaman Ratan, the member of parliament for Munshiganj-3; Gazaria upazila nirbahi officer Umme Hafsa Nadia; upazila health and family planning officer Dr Sharmin Ahmed Tithi; and the hospital’s doctors and staff were present during the visit.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report