Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain has said the government is not approving new private clinics within a one-kilometre radius of government hospitals.
He made the remarks on Tuesday morning while speaking to journalists after inspecting several private clinics in Kalkini upazila of Madaripur.
Addressing the issue of unauthorised healthcare facilities, the minister said illegal clinics had been established during the previous regime and that action was being taken wherever irregularities were found.
He said joint inspection teams led by the district administration and the Civil Surgeon were inspecting private clinics and diagnostic centres, with immediate action taken when irregularities were detected. However, he added that shutting down all non-compliant facilities at once was not feasible and that enforcement measures would be implemented in phases.
Earlier, around 8:30am, the minister made a surprise visit to Kalkini Upazila Health Complex to assess the overall quality of medical services, cleanliness and patient amenities. He visited several wards and spoke to admitted patients to enquire about the treatment they were receiving.
Sakhawat Hossain also held discussions with doctors, nurses and administrative staff about the quality of healthcare, availability of medicines, shortage of physicians and other operational challenges and prospects of the facility.
He instructed doctors and healthcare workers to comply with government regulations and report for duty on time.
Emphasising patient welfare, the health minister directed the authorities to ensure proper medical services, stressing that treatment for ordinary citizens at government hospitals must not be disrupted under any circumstances.
