Member of Parliament for the Bagerhat-3 constituency and State Minister for Climate, Forest and Environment Lion Dr Sheikh Faridul Islam has ordered the closure of all illegal clinics and diagnostic centres in Bagerhat within a week.
He directed the concerned authorities to take necessary action against the unauthorised healthcare facilities within the stipulated time. He gave the instructions while addressing a preparatory meeting and views-exchange session on dengue prevention at the 250-bed Bagerhat General Hospital on Saturday.
The state minister said establishing a legal and quality healthcare system was essential to ensure proper medical services for the people. He urged all concerned to remain vigilant so that people were not cheated by illegal clinics and diagnostic centres.
Legal action should be taken against institutions operating without the necessary approval, he said, adding that negligence or carelessness in this regard would not be tolerated.
The meeting emphasised advance preparations, public awareness and the provision of necessary medical services at hospitals to prevent dengue.
Discussions were held on keeping homes and surrounding areas clean, removing stagnant water and taking effective measures to destroy Aedes mosquito breeding grounds to prevent the spread of the disease.
During the meeting, the state minister stressed the need for coordinated efforts among the relevant health departments and administrative officials.
Discussions also focused on ensuring the early identification and treatment of dengue patients and strengthening hospital preparedness.
Those attending the meeting included Bagerhat District Council Administrator Barrister Sheikh Md Zakir Hossain, Deputy Commissioner Golam Md Baten, Superintendent of the 250-bed Bagerhat General Hospital Dr Asim Kumar Samadder, Police Superintendent Md Jamilur Islam and the hospital’s Resident Medical Officer (RMO) Tapas Kumar Sarkar, along with officials from various departments and representatives of the health department.