No new clinics within 1km of public hospitals
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
The government has taken a new initiative to improve the quality of services at public hospitals across the country. As part of the initiative, no new clinic or diagnostic centre will be allowed to be established within one kilometre of a government hospital. At the same time, public doctors will not be allowed to practise at any existing private hospital located within this distance.
The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) issued an order to this effect on Tuesday.
The directive was issued in accordance with decision No. 3 of the minutes of a meeting on improving the quality of healthcare services, chaired by the prime minister on August 17.
The relevant divisional directors, civil surgeons, and upazila health and family planning officers have been instructed to take the necessary steps to implement the decision and immediately inform the DGHS in writing about the measures taken.
‘Approval of existing clinics will be cancelled if they fail to provide quality services’
Health Minister Sardar Sakhawat Hossain had hinted Tuesday that no new private clinics or diagnostic centres would be approved near government hospitals.
“Clinics have sprung up across the country like mushrooms. They have been established through corruption and lobbying. We will no longer allow any new clinic to be set up in front of government hospitals. The existing ones will be monitored. If they fail to provide quality services, their approval will be cancelled,” the minister said.
He made the remarks while speaking to journalists after inspecting the Upazila Health Complex in Gazaria, Munshiganj.
“Regular drives will be conducted at the upazila level under the leadership of civil surgeons. Action will be taken against any clinic that does not have its own doctors, technicians and other required staff. Some clinics have already been sealed off during previous drives. Such operations will continue in the future as well,” the minister added.
