Either I Stay or Hospital Irregularities Stay: Health Minister

Health Minister Sardar Md Sakawat Hossain has taken a strong stance against irregularities and corruption in hospitals. He said, “Either I will stay, or there will be irregularities in hospitals.” He made the remarks while visiting Mugda Medical College Hospital in the capital on Friday (September 11) morning.

During his visit, the health minister found evidence of allegations that patients were being sent to outside diagnostic centres for various tests, including blood tests, despite the hospital having facilities to conduct these tests under government management. The minister visited different wards of the hospital and spoke with patients and their relatives. He also examined medical documents and various test reports.

During the inspection, the health minister said, “The allegation that I heard and came here to investigate is 100 percent true. Despite the availability of dengue testing facilities at the government hospital, I found evidence that people from outside diagnostic centres were coming here and collecting blood samples from patients.” The health minister said, “There are facilities here. People from outside come and take blood from here. Are they blind? There are doctors here. Won’t they see?”

He said the government has arrangements for patients to undergo necessary tests free of charge. Despite this, if outsiders come and collect samples from patients, the authorities will investigate who is involved in the matter. Meanwhile, patients and their relatives raised various complaints with the health minister during his visit. They particularly complained that the lifts were not operating regularly and that patients and their relatives had to move between several floors for tests and examinations.

The health minister also spoke about the dengue situation. He said hospitals are prepared to handle the pressure of dengue patients. If the number of patients increases, treatment capacity will be expanded further. He also said nationwide cleaning and preventive campaigns would be strengthened to prevent dengue. The health minister said such on-site inspections would continue as part of efforts to take action against irregularities in the health sector.