Prime Minister Tarique Rahman made surprise visits to 13 locations across Dhaka on Saturday, inspecting hospitals, educational institutions and government residential quarters and setting deadlines for improvements in cleanliness and management.
Starting at 9:10am, the prime minister visited different areas of the capital until 1:41pm, speaking to officials and assessing cleanliness, service quality and overall management at various facilities, his Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu said.
He first visited Kuwait-Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital in Uttara, followed by Rajuk Uttara Model College and Mirpur Cantonment Public School and College.
He then visited the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh in Mirpur, Paikpara Staff Quarters and Government Bangla College.
The prime minister later inspected Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute and Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital in Agargaon.
Tarique also visited his former college, Dhaka Residential Model College, where he addressed students and urged them to help build a clean Bangladesh and plant more trees.
He subsequently visited Dhanmondi Government Boys' High School, Kalabagan Staff Quarters and Azimpur Government Officers' and Employees' Residential Quarters.
Expressing dissatisfaction with cleanliness and management at several locations, the prime minister gave the authorities concerned two weeks to improve conditions at the Azimpur government quarters.
Earlier, during his visit to Kuwait-Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital, he had given the authorities seven days to improve the hospital environment and cleanliness.
During his visit to Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute, Tarique found Associate Professor Dr Rafiqul Islam smoking in an untidy room. He instructed the hospital chairman to take action against the doctor, who was subsequently suspended, according to the information provided.
The prime minister also visited a footpath in Mirpur-10 that had been cleared of hawkers. Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton was present during the visit.
Throughout the inspections, Tarique spoke to officials, students and members of the public, stressing the need for responsible action to improve public services, maintain cleanliness and protect public health.