The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) issued a directive stating that no permission will be granted to establish new private clinics within one kilometre of a government hospital.
Simultaneously, doctors from the concerned government hospital will not be permitted to practise in existing private clinics located within that same one-kilometre boundary.
The DGHS issued the directive on Tuesday. A letter signed by Director (Hospitals and Clinics) of the Directorate Dr Md Nurul Islam, instructed concerned authorities to take the necessary measures.
According to the letter, this action has been taken in accordance with Decision No 6 of the minutes of a meeting on improving the quality of healthcare services, chaired by the Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on 17 August.
The Directorate instructed the relevant officials to take necessary steps to implement the decision in light of the meeting minutes forwarded by the Prime Minister’s Office.
Earlier on Tuesday, Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain said that no new private clinics or diagnostic centres would be approved near government hospitals.
The minister made the remarks while speaking to journalists after inspecting the Gazaria Upazila Health Complex in Munshiganj.
