Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday conducted surprise inspections at 13 locations across Dhaka, including hospitals, educational institutions and government residential quarters, to assess public services, cleanliness and overall management.
The inspections began at 9:10am and continued until 1:41pm, Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu said. During the visits, the prime minister spoke with officials and examined service delivery and hygiene conditions at the facilities.
He began his tour at Kuwait-Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital in Uttara before visiting Rajuk Uttara Model College and Mirpur Cantonment Public School and College.
He then inspected the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh in Mirpur, Paikpara Staff Quarters and Government Bangla College.
The prime minister subsequently visited Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute and Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital in Agargaon.
At his former institution, Dhaka Residential Model College, Tarique addressed students and urged them to contribute to building a cleaner Bangladesh and planting more trees.
His inspection tour also included Dhanmondi Government Boys’ High School, Kalabagan Staff Quarters and Azimpur Government Officers’ and Employees’ Residential Quarters.
Deadlines set for cleanliness improvements
Expressing dissatisfaction with the cleanliness and management of several facilities, the prime minister directed the authorities concerned to improve conditions at the Azimpur government residential quarters within two weeks.
Earlier, during his visit to Kuwait-Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital, he gave the authorities seven days to improve the hospital’s environment and cleanliness arrangements.
At Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute, Tarique found Associate Professor Rafiqul Islam smoking inside his untidy room. He instructed the hospital chairman to take action against the doctor, who was subsequently suspended.
The prime minister also visited a footpath in Mirpur-10 that had been cleared of hawkers. Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton accompanied him during the visit.
Throughout the inspections, Tarique spoke with officials, students and members of the public, emphasising the need for responsible action to improve public services, maintain cleanliness and protect public health.
