Health Minister Dr. Samanta Lal Sen announced on Tuesday that the government will be closing down unlicensed hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic centers.
He stated that these unauthorized facilities cannot be allowed to operate and emphasized the need for action to be taken against them.
"I have made it clear that there will be no tolerance for corruption. Unauthorised and unlicensed medical facilities cannot be allowed to operate. While it's not possible to resolve this overnight, these illegal clinics and hospitals must be shut down. Measures will be taken against them," he said.
Dr. Sen made these remarks during a press conference at the Secretariat.
According to the Medical and Private Clinics and Laboratories Ordinance, it is illegal to run a hospital, clinic, or diagnostic center without approval from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
During a series of drives conducted by the health ministry after the onset of COVID-19 in the country, it was discovered that 11,940 hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic centers were providing medical services without proper facilities and approval from the DGHS.
Of these, 3,535 were located in the Dhaka division. As a result of these findings, the DGHS has closed approximately 2,500 of these unlicensed facilities.
Former Health Minister Zahid Maleque claimed in parliament that no unauthorized clinic or hospital in Dhaka was 'open'.
However, the issue of unlicensed facilities came to light following the death of a five-year-old child named Ayan after a circumcision procedure.
After the incident the DGHS ordered to close the United Medical College Hospital in the Satarkul area of Dhaka.
Ayan's family members met with Health Minister Dr. Sen, who promised action would be taken if any negligence was found in the treatment.
At the meeting, Health Service Division secretary Md Jahangir Alam stated that the government has successfully secured COVID-19 vaccines through GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance.
The vaccination campaign is set to begin in April, with an aim to administer the vaccine to 25 million people as a fourth dose in 2024 and 2025. Report from bdnews24.com adds: Half of these doses will be administered as a fourth dose this year, while the remainder will be used in 2025.
The vaccination drive will prioritise frontline workers, the elderly, and individuals with health vulnerabilities, Md Jahangir Alam said during a meeting with the Bangladesh Health Reporters Forum.
Bangladesh has alerted the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) to its vaccine requirements, and the organisation has assured that the shots would be available from April. "We aim to vaccinate 25 million people, including frontline responders, children, those with health issues, and the elderly," Jahangir said.
"While we have some vaccine doses in stock, we are coordinating with GAVI to secure the additional quantities required for the campaign."
Prof ABM Khurshid Alam, director general of the Directorate General of Health Services, added that the country currently has a stockpile of COVID-19 vaccines produced by Pfizer, which are valid until next year. Newly appointed Health Minister Samanta Lal highlighted ongoing concerns about COVID-19, noting that hospitalisations are still occurring in various countries.
He urged the elderly and those with underlying health conditions to avoid large gatherings and to continue wearing masks as a precautionary measure.
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