Govt plans to upgrade all upazila health complexes to 151-bed hospitals: Minister

The government plans to upgrade every upazila health complex across the country to a 151-bed facility and establish a health centre in each union with at least one doctor, said Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain on Tuesday.

He made the announcement during an unannounced visit to Kalkini Upazila Health Complex in Madaripur on Tuesday, expressing dissatisfaction over various irregularities and mismanagement at the hospital.

The minister inspected different departments of the hospital for nearly two hours, from 10AM to 12PM, and reviewed the quality of healthcare services, staff shortages and the availability of medicines and vaccines.

He also checked the documents and legal status of several diagnostic centres located in front of the hospital. Following the inspection, he issued a stern warning to the authorities concerned to address all irregularities and administrative shortcomings.

Expressing frustration over the hospital's condition, Sakhawat Hossain said the healthcare sector had been left in a vulnerable state due to years of neglect. He alleged that during the past 17 years of the Awami League government, public funds had been misappropriated and siphoned abroad.

"There is a shortage of manpower, vaccines and medicines in hospitals. No attention was paid to healthcare facilities.''

Outlining the government's development plans, the minister said former president Ziaur Rahman had established 19,000 hospitals, which were later expanded to 50,000 during the tenure of former prime minister Khaleda Zia. He alleged that no significant expansion or development had taken place since then.

"Under the directives of the Prime Minister, plans have been taken to upgrade every upazila health complex in the country to 151 beds. A health centre will also be established in every union, with one doctor assigned to each centre," he said.

The minister also announced departmental action against several doctors over alleged negligence and irregularities in their professional duties. He further ordered the removal of two nurses from their positions, according to the report.

Kalkini Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Kishore Kumar Das, doctors and officials of different government departments were present during the inspection.