Health minister makes surprise visit to Kushtia hospital, flags poor hygiene

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain paid a surprise visit to the 250-bed Kushtia General Hospital today (17 June), inspecting various wards, departments, and the kitchen to assess the overall standard of medical services.

During the visit, the minister spoke with admitted patients to enquire about the quality of care, medicine supply, and other facilities. He also inspected the quality of food being prepared for patients.

While expressing general satisfaction with the hospital's services, the minister raised dissatisfaction over the uncleanliness in certain areas and the unhygienic condition of patient bathrooms.

He directed the relevant officials to take immediate corrective measures.

Speaking to journalists after the visit, the minister said his trip to Kushtia General Hospital is not an isolated event, and that district hospitals, medical college hospitals, and upazila health complexes across the country are being inspected in phases.

"No effective work was done to improve hospitals over the past 17 years. Without accountable leadership, a culture of accountability never developed," he said. 
"Those who came through votes cast under the cover of darkness were not answerable to the people. We have been democratically elected and are working out of a sense of responsibility to the public."

He also assured that Kushtia Medical College Hospital will be fully operational within three months, expressing hope that this will open a new chapter in healthcare for people in Kushtia and the surrounding districts.

Upon learning of the minister's surprise visit, Kushtia Deputy Commissioner Md Touhid Bin-Hasan, Superintendent of Police Jasim Uddin, Civil Surgeon Dr SM Kamal Hossain, and other senior health department officials also arrived at the hospital.

Following the inspection, the minister held discussions with officials on steps needed to further improve the standard of services at the hospital.