Health minister stresses coordination in public services

MUNSHIGANJ, Sept 22: Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain, MP, stressed greater coordination among government departments to ensure people-friendly administration, transparency and accountability in public services.

He made the remarks at a meeting with lawmakers and district-level government officials at the conference room of the deputy commissioner's office in Munshiganj on Tuesday.

The minister, who is responsible for overseeing and coordinating government activities in the district, including law and order, corruption and drug control, good governance, transparency, accountability, public welfare and development programmes, visited Munshiganj on the occasion.

Deputy Commissioner Syeda Nurmahal Ashrafi chaired the meeting.

Munshiganj-2 MP Abdus Salam Azad, Munshiganj-3 MP Md Kamruzzaman, Superintendent of Police Md Menhazul Alam, PPM, BNP Central Committee Volunteer Affairs Secretary Mir Sarfat Ali Sapu, and District Council Administrator AKM Eradat, among others, attended the meeting.

The minister emphasised increasing inter-departmental coordination, reducing public suffering, maintaining cordial relations with service recipients, resolving emerging problems quickly and properly implementing the government's priority programmes.

He also instructed officials to maintain strict oversight to ensure transparency and accountability in administration and uninterrupted distribution of fertiliser and electricity.

Regarding law and order, he stressed regular and effective drives against drugs, gambling and online gambling, smuggling, food adulteration and counterfeit products.

He also directed officials to conduct mobile courts, prevent mob activities and the operations of juvenile gangs, counter rumours, maintain religious and social harmony, strengthen intelligence surveillance and expand CCTV coverage.

The minister also stressed taking all-out preparations to ensure that the upcoming Durga Puja is celebrated safely, peacefully and without disruption.

Regarding development activities, he instructed officials to undertake projects in line with the election manifesto, avoid duplication of projects, strengthen monitoring during implementation and take a firm stance against corruption.

He also emphasised increasing the participation of marginalised communities in development activities.

On healthcare, the minister said the government has taken an initiative to upgrade upazila hospitals to 151-bed facilities.

Initiatives have also been taken to establish primary healthcare centres at union level and Health and Wellbeing Hubs at ward level, he said.

He stressed raising public awareness and strengthening regular cleanliness drives to prevent measles and dengue.

The meeting was informed that an Intensified MR Catch-up Vaccination campaign would be conducted from September 26 to October 31, 2026.

Special arrangements have also been made at hospitals to treat measles and dengue patients, while adequate test kits for dengue diagnosis are being kept in stock, the meeting was told.

The meeting also stressed closer supervision and more effective coordination among government offices to improve law and order, administrative activities, development work, public services and healthcare in the district.