Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain has directed all private clinics and hospitals across the country to establish mandatory labour rooms for normal deliveries by next Saturday, 11 July.
The minister warned that the licences of institutions failing to implement this directive within the stipulated timeframe will be cancelled.
He issued these instructions while speaking as the chief guest at an event organised by the Bangladesh Midwifery Society in the capital’s Bijoynagar on Monday.
Addressing the gathering, the minister emphasised that high-quality labour rooms in all private healthcare facilities are essential to ensuring safe motherhood for every expectant mother in the country. He stressed that no negligence or apathy in this regard would be tolerated.
Regarding the dengue situation, the minister said efforts to control the disease at the upazila level have been ongoing for the past two months. In addition to cleanliness drives, necessary tablets to control mosquito larvae will be supplied within the next seven days.
The minister assured that adequate hospital beds and mobile services have been arranged for dengue patients. He also noted that the previous saline shortage has been resolved, with sufficient supplies now secured. The minister further instructed physicians not to discharge any patient until they are fully satisfied with their recovery.
He specifically directed doctors to maintain strict surveillance for potential complications, such as plasma leakage. The minister claimed that the current dengue situation is in a better position compared to last year. He also highlighted the government’s success in the measles vaccination programme.
To further strengthen the health sector, the minister announced that 100,000 new personnel will be recruited. Among the new recruits, 80,000 will be women, the majority of whom will serve as midwifery staff.
