PM sets deadlines to improve public facilities

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday made surprise visits to 13 locations across Dhaka, including hospitals, educational institutions and government residential quarters, to assess cleanliness, management and public service delivery, setting deadlines to address shortcomings at several facilities.

The inspections began at 9:10am and continued until 1:41pm, with the prime minister speaking to officials, students and residents, Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu said.

At Kuwait-Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital in Uttara, Tarique found shortcomings in cleanliness and gave the authorities seven days to improve the situation. He also directed the hospital chairman to take action against a doctor, who was subsequently suspended, officials said.

He visited RAJUK Uttara Model College, Mirpur Cantonment Public School and College, the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh in Mirpur, Paikpara Staff Quarters and Government Bangla College.

The prime minister also inspected Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute and Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital in Agargaon.

At Dhaka Residential Model College, his former educational institution, he urged students to help build a clean Bangladesh and plant more trees to protect the environment.

His itinerary also included Dhanmondi Government Boys' High School, Kalabagan Staff Quarters and Azimpur Government Officers' and Employees' Residential Quarters.

At Azimpur, he expressed dissatisfaction with unhygienic conditions and gave the authorities two weeks to clean the entire area and ensure a habitable environment. 

Residents raised concerns about sanitation and law and order, prompting him to direct the relevant authorities to take necessary action. He also exchanged greetings with children living in the quarters.

State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shah Alam and Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam were present during the Azimpur visit.

The prime minister also inspected a footpath in Mirpur-10 that had been cleared of hawkers. Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton accompanied him.

The inspections focused on identifying shortcomings in cleanliness, management and service delivery, with Tarique directing officials to take prompt action to improve public facilities and protect public health.