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No new clinic approvals in front of govt. hospitals: Health Minister

Published : Tuesday, 22 September, 2026 at 4:40 PM

Observer online report

The government will no longer approve new private clinics or diagnostic centres in front of government hospitals, Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain has said.

He made the remarks while responding to questions from journalists during a surprise visit to Gazaria Upazila Health Complex in Munshiganj on Tuesday morning.

Later in the afternoon, the minister reiterated the decision while speaking to reporters after a meeting at the Munshiganj Deputy Commissioner’s Office.

“There is no denying that a large number of diagnostic centres were approved during the previous government. After coming to office, we decided that no new clinic would be approved in front of government hospitals. This is totally stopped. If those that already have approval do not operate properly, they will also be closed,” he said.

Asked why people are still dying from snake bites despite sufficient antivenom at upazila-level hospitals, Sakhawat Hossain said patients are sometimes kept under observation to determine whether they have been bitten by a venomous snake.

He said patients often arrive at hospitals late, by which time their condition becomes critical. He urged people to take snakebite victims to hospital immediately and said sufficient antivenom is available at every upazila health complex in the country.

The minister also outlined several government plans for improving healthcare services at the Gazaria Upazila Health Complex.

He said work would begin in October to upgrade the facility from 50 beds to 151 beds. Within two years, arrangements would be made to provide dialysis to 10 patients simultaneously. A modern pathology laboratory and separate physiotherapy centres for men and women would also be introduced within the same period.

During the visit, local media workers highlighted various irregularities in hospital management. The minister assured them that the issues would be addressed.

Munshiganj-3 MP Kamruzzaman Ratan was present at the time, along with Gazaria Upazila Nirbahi Officer Umme Hafsa Nadia, Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Sharmin Tithi, Resident Medical Officer Dr Nusrat Farzana Khan and others.

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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury

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