Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain made an unannounced visit to the 250-bed Habiganj District Sadar Hospital on Saturday, inspecting several wards, the surgery department, outpatient department and dispensary.

During the visit, the minister spoke directly with patients and their attendants to assess the quality of treatment, availability of medicines and facilities, attendance of doctors and health workers, and the hospital’s overall management.

He ordered the immediate transfer of pharmacist Rigan Hossain after finding him absent from duty at the dispensary.

Later, Sylhet Divisional Health Director Dr Mahbubul Alam placed Rigan Hossain on stand release and transferred him to Bishwambharpur Upazila Health Complex in Sunamganj, according to sources concerned.

The minister also ordered the permanent dismissal of Dr Mehedi Hasan, a medical officer who had been temporarily suspended for remaining absent from the workplace for a prolonged period.

According to sources and published reports, Dr Mehedi has been staying in the United States for around two and a half years.

The minister expressed dissatisfaction with the hospital’s cleanliness and instructed officials and employees to perform their duties more responsibly.

Patients and their attendants also complained to him about shortages of medicines and essential facilities, shortcomings in healthcare services and management, and the alleged activities of middlemen at the hospital.

The minister listened to their complaints and directed the authorities concerned to take immediate measures.

5 doctors already posted

Talking to journalists after the inspection, Sakhawat Hossain said government hospitals across the country were facing shortages of doctors and beds compared with the number of patients.

Habiganj Sadar Hospital is also facing a shortage of doctors and beds in proportion to its patient load, he said.

He said five doctors had already been posted to the hospital and more doctors would be provided based on its requirements after they join.

The government is also working to increase the number of beds and improve food arrangements to ease pressure on the hospital, he added.

Dialysis facilities to be expanded

The minister said the government was planning to expand dialysis services at district-level hospitals and establish additional dialysis facilities at medical college hospitals.

The move is expected to reduce kidney patients’ dependence on Dhaka and other major cities for treatment.

In July, the minister had said the government was planning to establish 50 dialysis beds at district medical college hospitals and 10 at district hospitals.

He also said healthcare facilities at the upazila level would be expanded, including modern pathology laboratories, ultrasonography and other diagnostic services.

Initiatives would also be taken to improve infrastructure and increase bed capacity at upazila hospitals, he said.

Habiganj District Council Administrator Ahmed Ali Mukib, Deputy Commissioner Dr GM Sarfaraz, Superintendent of the 250-bed District Sadar Hospital Dr Aminul Haque Sarker, Principal of Habiganj Medical College Prof Dr Javed Zillul Bari, and officials from the district administration and health department were present during the visit.

The minister’s surprise inspection prompted immediate activity across the hospital. His direct interaction with patients and attendants also gave him an opportunity to learn about the hospital’s services and problems firsthand.