Health Minister closes staff during sudden visit to Barishal hospitals

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain conducted sudden visits to several hospitals in Barishal on Monday, May 11. During his visit to Barishal General Hospital, the minister closed down technician-cum-ticket collector Jasim Matubbar for being absent from duty.

Barishal General Hospital Supervisor Moloy Krishna Borol confirmed the matter.

Responding to journalists' questions, the minister said the government's election manifesto aimed to ensure good health for all. "I found a staff member absent at Barishal General Hospital. He is a ticket collector. I have closed him. I would not have closed him, but I did because he took recourse to lies," he said.

Regarding Barishal General Hospital, the minister said, "First, I have received complaints that outdoor doctors come late. Second, there is the issue of agents from clinics. They mislead patients and take them away from the hospital. I have instructed the arrest of these agents. I have found much garbage inside the hospital, and the condition of the bathrooms is also poor. Necessary steps will be taken to increase the number of doctors in the outdoor department."

Referring to the measles situation, the minister said, "We did not have a single vaccine to combat measles. We faced difficulties in that situation. Now we have stock. By the grace of Allah, if we had not received the vaccine, the tears would not have stopped."

After speaking with journalists, the health minister visited the Children's Hospital in Amanganj and Barishal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital. Barishal District Commissioner Khairul Alam Sumon and officials from the health department were present with him.