Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain made surprise visits to three health facilities in Satkhira on July 26, inspecting medical services, cleanliness and staff attendance. Two doctors were dismissed over allegations of prolonged absence from duty without leave, while a night guard was dismissed over a theft incident. The sites visited were Satkhira Medical College Hospital, Satkhira Sadar Hospital and Tala উপজেলা Health Complex.

At Tala উপজেলা Health Complex, Dr. Tonni was dismissed over allegations of being absent from the workplace for a long period without leave. A night guard there was also dismissed in connection with a theft incident. At Satkhira Medical College Hospital, the minister visited the kitchen, washrooms and wards and spoke with admitted patients. Dr. Sohana Selim was dismissed over allegations of being absent without leave for more than a month.

The minister said the country has too few doctors relative to patients and alleged that insufficient recruitment over the past 17 years created staffing shortages. He described Satkhira’s overall medical services as satisfactory and issued guidance on service quality at Satkhira Sadar Hospital. He also announced initiatives to upgrade 50-bed hospitals to 100 beds, install 50 dialysis machines at each district and medical college hospital, and begin distributing health cards nationwide soon.