DGHS begins raid against illegal hospitals

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) begins nationwide raid in unauthorized hospitals on Monday. The Health authority have sealed off twenty-five unlicensed hospitals and diagnostic centres in Dhaka and Chattogram in drives launched by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

In Dhaka, DGHS has shut down eight hospitals and diagnostic centres were shut down Monday for providing medical services without approval.

They are – Khilgaon General Hospital, Central Basabo General Hospital, Kanak General Hospital at Matuail, Salman Hospital and Diagnostic Centre at Shanir Akhra, Khidmah Life Care Diagnostic Centre at Bakshibazar, Dhaka General Hospital at Chankharpool, Hair Transplant Cosmetic Surgery Consultancy and Diagnostic Centre and Dhaka Pain and Spine Centre at Banani.

Upon a visit to the Hair Transplant and Cosmetic Surgery Centre on Banani's Road No. 11, health officials said they did not find a doctor at the facility. Instead, nurses were performing hair transplants using laser beams.

The clinic was using its past affiliation with a "famous Indian dermatologist" to promote itself, according to Dr Ahmedul Kabir, additional director general of health services.

Even though the dermatologist no longer treats patients at the facility, they still use his name to attract clients, he said. "The clinic has an operating theatre, but there isn't anyone to manage it. That's why it has been closed."

"We have issued repeated warnings (to unauthorised institutions) but they went unheeded. As such, we have decided to take action. Unauthorised facilities will be closed and sealed off. We want them to provide medical care, but there needs to be a suitable environment. Cheating in the name of providing medical services will not be tolerated," Ahmedul said.

Prof Dr Ahmedul Kabir, additional director general (administration) of DGHS said the drive has been launched to restore discipline in the healthcare sector.

In Chattogram, 17 unlicensed medical facilities were sealed off in the port city during Monday's drive  said Civil Surgeon Dr Ilias Chowdhury .

The healthcare centres include two private hospitals – Desh Medical Service and Treatment Eye Hospital. 

The drive against illegal hospitals will continue till Thursday.

Earlier on 26 May, a 72-hour operation was conducted and three months were given to the unregistered health entities to register. 

The authorities will press on with the crackdown, as about 2,000 hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centres are operating without a licence, he said on Sunday.

Ahmedul warned that those who failed to legalise their businesses in three months will be shown “no mercy” and their health centres will be “shut down”.

If a registered doctor renders medical services at an illegal hospital, his activities will be considered illegal, said Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) officials, ahead of the operation to shut down illegal hospitals, diagnostic centres, and blood banks across the country.

After three months, the DGHS once again starts conducting a strict drive for four days, from Monday to Thursday, to close down illegal health service providers.

On 26 May, a 72-hour operation was conducted and three months were given to unregistered health entities to register. Those who did not utilise the opportunity will not be allowed to carry on, said DGHS Additional Director General (Administration), Professor Dr Ahmedul Kabir, at a press conference on Sunday.

The DGHS once again launched a nationwide drive against illegal diagnostic centres and clinics from Monday.

According to DGHS, a total of 1,641 health institutions were closed in the last campaign. As a result of the campaign, a revenue of Tk 25 crore was generated from the registration application. 

Besides, 1,986 other institutions are awaiting inspection for new licenses while 2,017 institutions are awaiting inspection for license renewal.

DGHS once again launched raids against illegal diagnostic centres and clinics on Monday.

Meanwhile,  Jhenaidah Sadar upazila administration has sealed off 13 illegal dental clinics in different areas of upazila as part of a nationwide drive under the direction of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Sadar Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Mithila Islam said raids were conducted to identify illegal dental clinics in different areas of the upazila from Sunday evening to late night.

At that time, the administration shut down seven illegal dental clinics in Agniveena road and three each in Pagla Kanai and Arappur area, she added.

Medical Officer Dr Asif Ahmed, Dr Faisal Ahmed and Sanitary Inspector Narayan Chandra Bishash were present among others during the drive.