PM inspects 13 Dhaka sites in 4.5hrs

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman conducted surprise inspections at 13 locations across the capital over four and a half hours on Saturday, visiting hospitals, educational institutions and residential quarters for government employees, as well as a hawker-free footpath in Mirpur-10.

The inspections began at 9:10AM and continued until 1:41PM. During the visits, the prime minister spoke with officials and assessed cleanliness, service quality and overall management at various facilities.

He first visited Kuwait-Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital in Uttara, followed by Rajuk Uttara Model College and Mirpur Cantonment Public School and College.

His itinerary also included the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh in Mirpur, Paikpara Staff Quarters and Government Bangla College.

In Agargaon, he inspected Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute and Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital.

The prime minister later visited his former educational institution, Dhaka Residential Model College, where he addressed students and urged them to help build a cleaner Bangladesh and plant more trees.

He also visited Dhanmondi Government Boys' High School, Kalabagan Staff Quarters and Azimpur Government Officers' and Employees' Residential Quarters.
Two-week deadline for cleanliness

During the inspections, Tarique expressed dissatisfaction with unhygienic conditions and shortcomings in management at several locations.

He gave the authorities two weeks to improve cleanliness at the Azimpur government residential quarters. Earlier, following his visit to Kuwait-Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital, he had given the authorities seven days to improve the hospital's environment and sanitation arrangements.
Doctor suspended after smoking incident

During his visit to Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute, the prime minister reportedly found Associate Professor Dr Rafiqul Islam smoking inside his office. The room was also found to be in an unhygienic condition.

Tarique immediately instructed the hospital chairman to take action against the doctor. Following the directive, Dr Islam was temporarily suspended, according to the report.
Inspects hawker-free footpath in Mirpur

The prime minister also visited a hawker-free footpath in Mirpur-10. Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton was present during the visit.

Throughout the surprise inspections, Tarique spoke with officials, students and members of the public, stressing the need for responsible management to ensure better public services, cleanliness and public health.

The visits placed a spotlight on the condition of public institutions and residential facilities, with the prime minister directing the relevant authorities to address deficiencies within specified deadlines.