Health minister warns tough stance against middlemen in public hospitals

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain today (4 March) announced a strict stance against broker syndicates in government hospitals across the country.

"We will not allow anyone to engage in brokerage inside hospitals. There will be no opportunity to illegally collect money from patients in the name of trolley rent or by any other means," the minister made the remarks during a surprise visit to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) in the capital.

"We will maintain a zero-tolerance policy to ensure broker-free hospitals. Middlemen will be dealt with firmly," he added.

During the inspection, he visited several wards of the old building, the emergency department's operation theatre and the burn unit. Noticing several irregularities, he instructed the hospital director to take immediate corrective measures.

Talking to the journalists after the visit, the minister said the patient load at DMCH far exceeds its capacity, creating challenges in maintaining service quality. Facilities are inadequate compared to the number of patients, and there is a shortage of doctors, nurses and staff, he added.

Commenting on the hospital environment and management, he noted that while the earlier problem of cockroach-infested beds has decreased, there are complaints that patients are not receiving all necessary medicines.

Expressing dissatisfaction over cleanliness, he said bed sheets and other hospital linens are not being properly cleaned. He directed the hospital authorities to deduct bills if proper cleaning standards are not maintained in the future.

He further stated that payments would be withheld for substandard work. The government is working on a comprehensive "big plan" to ensure proper utilisation of limited resources and to bring healthcare services to the people's doorsteps.