6 hospitals, blood bank face action in DGHS drive, 2 shut

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has uncovered serious irregularities in six private hospitals and one blood bank during a raid in the capital's College Gate area, leading to the closure of two hospitals and partial suspension of two others as well as the remaining three institutions have been warned.

The operation was carried out throughout Tuesday at the Muktijoddha Tower, where two DGHS teams inspected seven institutions and took action based on their findings.

Officials reported widespread disorder in the name of medical treatment at several facilities. Some hospitals were found issuing fake pathological reports despite lacking their own laboratory facilities. In addition, patients injured in violence or bullet incidents were reportedly admitted and treated without following any proper rules or regulations.

Following the drive "TG Hospital" was ordered to shut down completely. Inspectors found four children admitted in the NICU without any doctor present. Prescription documents also lacked physicians' signatures. Considering the risks, ICU and NICU operations at several other hospitals were also suspended.

At "Prime Hospital," located in the same building, investigators found similar irregularities. Despite not having a licensed laboratory, the facility was issuing fake reports to patients. Evidence was also found suggesting that gunshot and violence victims were being treated secretly.

DGHS findings further revealed that a network of ambulance drivers and brokers was misleading patients from different districts and bringing them to these facilities. A patient's relative alleged that brokers took advantage of the absence of doctors in government hospitals to lure them into private institutions with false promises.

Speaking after the drive, DGHS Director Abu Hossain Md Moinul Ahsan said authorities had encountered conditions warranting the closure of multiple clinics and ICU units. "A blood bank is also being shut down. Strike action will be taken against these institutions under the instructions of the Director General," he said.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain announced a "zero tolerance" policy against irregularities in the healthcare sector. "Although problems accumulated over decades cannot be solved overnight, the journey toward reform has begun. Under the Prime Minister's directive, we are working to ensure quality healthcare services," he said.

A day earlier, authorities sealed off a private hospital in the capital Shyamoli area following a similar raid.