Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Sakhawat Hossain made a surprise inspection of the 250-bed Noakhali General Hospital, voicing anger over what he said was gross mismanagement, unsanitary conditions and the irregular attendance of doctors.
The minister arrived at the 250-bed hospital without prior notice at about 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday (February 25). He toured the male, female, children’s and diarrhea wards, the emergency department and other units.
During the visit, he expressed dissatisfaction at the unsanitary conditions and dirty toilets inside the hospital. The absence of doctors at scheduled hours also came to his attention.
The health minister ordered the immediate removal of the hospital’s deputy director, Dr. Md. Farid Uddin Chowdhury, over alleged negligence of duty. From the inspection site, he telephoned the director general of health services to issue the order. He also spoke with health services division secretary Kamruzzaman and urged swift, firm action to end the mismanagement at the hospital.
Speaking to reporters, the minister said no negligence or irregularity in public health services would be tolerated. Doctors’ timely attendance must be ensured and the hospital environment kept clean, he said, warning that anyone who failed in their duties would not be kept in post.
Noakhali Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Shafiqul Islam, Superintendent of Police N.M. Nasir Uddin, Civil Surgeon Dr. Anwar Hossain and other senior administration officials were present during the visit.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report