A Correspondent:
Khulna: Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain yesterday said the govern-ment has proposed increasing allocation for the health sector by one percent in the upcoming national budget to improve healthcare services and provide modern medical equipment to hospitals across the country.
“Once the budget is passed, hospitals throughout the country will gradually be equipped with necessary modern machinery and equipment,” he told journalists after visiting Khulna Medical College Hospital this afternoon.
The minister said the health sector had witnessed little development over the past 17 years, alleging that corruption and mismanagement dominated the sector during previous administrations.
“We are increasing the budget, Insha’Allah. If the budget is approved, as many modern machines and medical devices as possible will be supplied to hospitals in the next fiscal year,” he added.
Sakhawat Hossain also said five state-of-the-art children’s hospitals, now under construction in five divi-sional cities including Khulna, would be opened within the next five months.
Highlighting plans to strengthen hospital security, the minister said after Eid-ul-Azha, 10 security per-sonnel led by a platoon commander would be deployed in every upazila across the country.
Besides, Ansar members would be appointed at every hospital unit to ensure safety and discipline.
During the inspection, the minister expressed dissatisfaction over the cleanliness of the hospital premises, particularly the condition of toilets.
“The toilets are not suitable for use. Authorities have been instructed to ensure overall cleanliness of the hospital and the matter will be monitored regularly,” he said.
Witnessing various irregularities and patients’ sufferings during the visit, the minister hinted at adopting a stricter stance to improve hospital management and services.
Regarding manpower shortages in the health sector, he said around 100,000 personnel would be recruit-ed after Eid, including doctors, nurses and midwives.
He also said additional physicians would be appointed through a special BCS recruitment process.
