Hasnat orders action against absent doctors during Cumilla hospital visit

Cumilla-4 lawmaker and National Citizen Party Chief Organiser (South) Hasnat Abdullah today (2 June) directed authorities to take administrative action against several doctors found absent during a visit to Debidwar Upazila Health Complex, according to officials.

During the inspection, Hasnat toured different wards of the hospital and reviewed healthcare services, patient conditions, and overall operations.

According to hospital sources, at least five doctors were absent from their designated posts at the time of the visit.

After nearly two hours of inspection, the lawmaker sought an explanation from the upazila health and family planning officer regarding the absence of the doctors and instructed authorities to take necessary administrative measures.

The doctors reportedly absent during the visit were Dr Saiful Islam Shuvo, Dr SKM Shamim Kawsar, Dr Sharif Uddin Ahmed, Dr Golam Sarwar, and Dr Kazi Ayesha Siddika.

Speaking to The Business Standard, Cumilla Deputy Civil Surgeon Dr Reza Md Sarwar Akbar said lawmaker Hasnat Abdullah had visited the health complex and that the responsibility for determining appropriate action against the absent doctors had been assigned to the upazila health and family planning officer.

Cumilla Civil Surgeon Dr Ali Nur Mohammad Bashir Ahmed said the doctors were expected to be present at their workplace during official hours.

"They failed to comply with that requirement. We have learned that the local lawmaker did not find them at the hospital during his visit," he said.

He added that show-cause notices would be issued to the doctors concerned seeking explanations for their absence. 

The matter would also be reported to the director general of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), he said.