DHAKA, March 2, 2024 (BSS) - Health and Family Welfare Minister Professor Dr Samanta Lal Sen today said the government will continue drives against unauthorized healthcare facilities aiming to upgrade healthcare system.

"Both public and private hospitals, clinics and diagnostics centres must be equipped with required medical facilities to ensure quality treatment for patients," he told the 23th International Congress and Scientific Seminar organized by Bangladesh Society of Medicine at a city hotel, an official release said.

Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Prof Dr Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid Alam and specialized doctors from home and abroad were present at the seminar with President of Bangladesh Society of Medicine Prof Dr Titu Mia in the chair.

The health minister said the government will show zero tolerance against irregularities of private healthcare facilities.

"The authorities of private healthcare facilities must follow rules set by the government for ensuring quality medical services," he added.

The government does not want to shut down private healthcare facilities for the sake of the greatest interest of the people, he said, adding, "But all private hospitals, clinics and diagnostics centres must recruit adequate number of skilled healthcare professionals, equipping it with all necessary testing facilities."

"We have shut down 1,227 unregistered clinics and diagnostics centres in the past one month. We are continuing our drive against unauthorized healthcare facilities," Samanta added.

Earlier, at the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery , the health minister informed journalists about the latest health conditions of those victims who sustained burn injuries in the devastating fire in a commercial building on Bailey Road in the capital on Thursday night.

According to the 17-member medical board, he said, "We have decided to release six burn injured victims and while five are still undergoing treatment at the institute."