Health minister’s surprise visit prompts action against 5 doctors

Photo: collected

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain ordered departmental action against five doctors who had been absent for a prolonged period during a surprise visit to Muradnagar Upazila Health Complex in Cumilla on Wednesday.

He also directed officials to bring back seven doctors currently attached to other institutions to their original workplaces.

The minister visited the hospital at around 8:30 am and checked doctors' attendance, patient care and the overall environment. He also spoke with patients and personally provided financial assistance to two people in need.

Hospital sources said 12 of the 51 doctors were absent during the inspection. Seven were working on attachment elsewhere, while five had reportedly been absent for a long time.

During the visit, the minister announced plans to upgrade the health complex to a 151-bed facility. The proposed expansion includes 10 dialysis machines, a 20-bed maternity ward, a 20-bed neonatal facility, separate physiotherapy services for men and women, and a breastfeeding centre.

He said the tender process for the project was expected to be completed within the next 15 to 16 days. Doctors from a group of 48 set to join the health service on November 1 would also be posted to Muradnagar, he added.

Although the minister noted improvements in the hospital's overall management, he expressed concern over waste disposal and poor cleanliness, saying an unhygienic environment undermined healthcare services.

Hospital staff said the upazila lacked suitable land for waste disposal. The minister said he would discuss possible waste management arrangements on the hospital premises with officials of the Health Engineering Department.

He also directed the Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer to begin the process of declaring out-of-service hospital vehicles beyond repair.

Addressing the ambulance shortage, the minister said arrangements were planned to provide an ambulance in the next financial year.