Drive against the illegal, unauthorized hospitals came into a standstill. When protests gather momentum in the country over death from wrong treatment, the health division becomes agile and runs several drives against illegal and unlicensed clinics.
But, after a while it comes to a halt without any announcement.
Last year, the death of a baby named Ayan while undergoing circumcision at the United Medical College Hospital at Satarkul area of Badda in the capital sparked a debate about unlicensed hospitals. The health division said the hospital was operating without a license.
A few days later, a nationwide uproar erupted over the death of another child, Ahnaf Tahmid, at the JS Diagnostic and Medical Checkup Center in Malibagh Chowdhurypara. This time too, the hospital was unlicensed.
Following those incidents, the health division goes on a hardline against unlicensed hospital. However, it hardline doesn’t exist except on paper.
The health division launched such a campaign in 2020 that was closed due to various pressures. On May 25, 2022, the division launched a campaign against illegal healthcare institutions with a sudden announcement. At that time, several institutions were closed with fines. Several institutions were asked for license renewal within given time.
However, when the pace of the drive slowed down later, the illegal institutions became operational again.
In 2023, taking the advantage of Dengue outbreak, the violence of illegal institutions increased. Following the increaser, the health division launched a drive that too slowed down later.
According to a source from Hospital & Clinic Section Unit and HSM of health division as of December last year, the number of hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centers and blood banks in the country was 16,845. Of these, 5,560 were hospitals, 11,062 were diagnostic centers and 223 were blood banks.
Of these, 379 received new approvals in Dhaka Division, 1,593 had their licenses renewed. 160 received approvals in Chittagong, 925 had their licenses renewed. In Sylhet, 23 have been approved, 225 licenses have been renewed. In Mymensingh, 43 have been approved, 115 licenses have been renewed. In Khulna, 101 have been approved, 383 licenses have been renewed. In Barisal, 67 have been approved, 339 licenses have been renewed. In Rangpur, 80 have been approved, 118 licenses have been renewed. In Rajshahi, 124 have been approved, 228 licenses have been renewed.
Public health experts say that the drive starts whenever there is an accident or complaint of wrong treatment somewhere. After a few days, everything stops again.
Dr Syed Abdul Hamid of the Institute of Health Economics at Dhaka University emphasized on up-to-date law to monitor private hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centers and blood banks in the country.
More than 16,000 hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centers across the country are being monitored through the 1982 ordinance. And efforts are being made to update the law from 2016.
It has been included in the Health Protection Act draft, he said, adding: “This is circulating from table to table for approval for long.”
The professor furthered that patients and their relatives are being affected by this mismanagement of healthcare.
“Along with loss of life, limb loss, physical and mental trauma, they are also suffering financial losses. Negligence in medical services is not desirable in any way.”
Regarding the overall situation, the Hospital & Clinic Section Unit and HSM Director Dr Abu Hussain Md Moinul Ahsan told Bangladesh Pratidin: “Monitoring activities of private hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centers and blood banks are ongoing throughout the year.”
He said: “It may seem slow at times because the work is not being carried out by making announcements. But this monitoring process of the health division is ongoing. Our efforts to ensure quality medical services by bringing all hospitals and clinics in the country within the rules are ongoing.
Translated by Afsar Munna
