Drive begins against errant healthcare facilities today

The health directorate again decided to launch a crackdown against unauthorised healthcare facilities after a pause of three months.
As part of the decision, the state-run Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) will conduct a drive from today (Monday), DGHS Additional Director General (Administration) Ahmedul Kabir told the reporters at a press briefing at its headquarters on Sunday.
He said they would not allow operation of the hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centres, which failed to get registered in the last three months.
"We gave three months' time. Those who did not take the opportunity or did not apply for registration or those who applied but have not got the licence yet will not be allowed to run their activities," he said.
During the drive, he said, the team will monitor activities and quality of services of the registered healthcare units to rank them.
"Based on the observation, we will divide them into three categories A, B and C. We will also upload the list on our website so that people can know the quality of their services before moving to them," Mr Kabir said.
The DGHS additional director general also said that they would take legal action against the healthcare professionals who would be found discharging duties at the non-compliant facilities.
"Instructions have already been issued to all concerned in this matter," he said.
About outcomes of the previous crackdown, he said a total of 1,641 health facilities were closed during the last campaign. As a result of the campaign, the directorate earned revenue amounting to over Tk 250 million from the registration application.
During the last three months, some 1489 healthcare units got licences and 2930 licences were renewed.
On the other hand, 1,986 other institutions are awaiting inspection for new licences while 2,887 institutions are awaiting inspection for licence renewal.
When contacted, Secretary General of Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) Dr Md Ehteshamul Huq Choudhury appreciated the move, saying that the initiative should have been taken much earlier.
He said the DGHS lacked enough manpower to continue such activities throughout the year to ensure compliance at both public and private facilities.
Talking about the existing Medical Practice and Private Clinics and Laboratories (Regulation) Ordinance, he said it needed to be rationalised.
According to the ordinance, he said one doctor and three diploma nurses are needed for a 10-bed hospital but "where do we get so many diploma nurses for so many hospitals.
On the other hand, each diagnostic unit needs to have a full-time radiologist and a pathologist but the reality is different as the government hospitals are not being able to recruit them.
"So, we need to update these. We can allow part-time professionals for a certain period unless we can produce enough professionals," the BMA secretary general said.

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