Bangladesh’s Directorate General of Health Services has shut more than 250 illegal healthcare institutions across the country in a five-month enforcement drive, including in Dhaka and other districts and upazilas. The health department began regular raids on March 29 this year against unlawfully established hospitals, blood banks, clinics and diagnostic centres. Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain attended several operations.

Dr. Md. Nurul Islam, director of the Directorate’s Hospital and Clinic Branch, said nearly 5,000 illegal and substandard hospitals, clinics, blood banks and diagnostic centres had been targeted in raids. About 200 clinics were given time to make corrections, while facilities with expired licences were also granted time. Nearly 6,000 clinics have renewed their licences, and another 2,000 to 3,000 applications are awaiting scrutiny and approval.

Inspections cover licences, medical equipment standards, hygiene compliance and practitioners’ valid certificates. Authorities say violations can lead to fines, sealing or closure. The minister said facilities failing to maintain minimum healthcare standards would be closed immediately, while operators running hospitals or clinics illegally would face strict legal action.