No new clinics to be approved in front of govt hospitals: Health minister

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain has said no new clinics will be approved in front of government hospitals, while existing facilities that fail to operate properly will also be shut down.

“There is no denying that diagnostic centres were approved like mushrooms during the previous government. After taking office, we decided that no new clinics would be approved in front of government hospitals. This is totally prohibited. If those currently approved fail to conduct their activities properly, they too will be shut down,” he said.

The minister made the remarks while responding to questions from journalists during a surprise inspection of Gajaria Upazila Health Complex in Munshiganj at around 10am today (22 September).

Asked why patients were still dying from snakebites despite adequate stocks of antivenom at upazila-level hospitals, Sakhawat said patients are sometimes brought to hospitals too late.

“After a snakebite, patients are kept under observation for some time to determine whether they have been bitten by a venomous snake. Many times, patients’ conditions become critical because they arrive at the hospital late. So, take the patient to hospital without delay immediately after a snakebite. Sufficient stocks of antivenom are available at every upazila health complex in the country,” he said.

Gajaria hospital to be upgraded

Highlighting various initiatives taken by the government to develop the health sector, the minister said work to upgrade Gajaria Upazila Health Complex from a 50-bed facility to a 151-bed hospital would begin next month.

“Within the next two years, arrangements will be made to provide dialysis to 10 patients simultaneously. In addition, a modern pathology laboratory and separate physiotherapy centres for men and women will be introduced within two years,” he said.

During the inspection, local journalists brought several allegations of irregularities in the management of the hospital to the minister’s attention. He assured them that the issues would be addressed.

Munshiganj-3 MP Kamruzzaman Ratan accompanied the minister during the visit.