Health minister makes surprise visit to Kaliganj hospital, finds four doctors absent

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Sakhawat Hossain Bakul made a surprise inspection of Kaliganj Upazila Health Complex in Gazipur on Saturday morning, March 7. During the visit, he found four doctors and several officials absent, irregularities in leave approvals, and various shortcomings in hospital services.

The minister entered the hospital unexpectedly around 10:00 am. Getting out of his vehicle, he went directly inside and asked duty staff about the location of the Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer's room.

Later, upon entering that room, he found the responsible officer, Dr Rezwana Rashid, absent. When he inquired with those present, no one could provide clear information. Subsequently, Mohammad Kazi Nazmul Haque, introducing himself as the acting statistician, informed that the officer was on leave.

When the minister asked to see the leave application, a scanned copy was shown that did not have approval from the Civil Surgeon of Gazipur district. The minister then took the attendance register and sat in the conference room to verify presence. Four doctors were found absent, and no leave applications were found for any of them either.

Upon hearing news of the minister's presence, several doctors arrived at the hospital around 10:30 am. When asked about the reason for their delay, they offered various excuses, and several apologised to the minister.

At one point, when Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Rezwana Rashid arrived at the hospital, the minister inquired about the reason for her absence. She stated she was on leave due to illness. However, as her leave application mentioned family problems, the minister questioned the matter. Later, she apologised to the minister.

During the inspection, the minister visited various wards of the hospital, spoke with patients, and inquired about the quality of treatment and services. He expressed displeasure at finding no soap or handwash in the ward washrooms. When he asked hospital authorities why such facilities were not provided despite having a budget, concerned officials admitted their fault.

The minister also spoke with patients waiting in the outpatient department. They raised various problems and complaints about medical services. The minister recorded those complaints and assured necessary action.

Later, he inspected the hospital pharmacy and listened to various demands of employees.

Speaking to journalists, the Health Minister said government hospitals across the country will no longer be inspected with prior announcement. Surprise visits will be conducted instead. If any irregularities are found anywhere, immediate departmental action will be taken.

He further stated that those who work in hospitals must be present at their workplaces on time. The opportunity to live in Dhaka while working at hospitals in peripheral areas will no longer exist. If necessary, they must perform their duties residing close to their workplaces.