PM makes 13 surprise visits, urges cleanliness

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman yesterday made surprise visits to 13 locations across Dhaka, including hospitals, educational institutions and government residential quarters to assess the quality of public services, cleanliness and overall management.

Starting at 9:10am, he visited different areas of Dhaka until 1:41pm, speaking to officials and examining cleanliness, service quality and overall management at various facilities, according to his press wing.

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 at Mirpur, Paikpara Staff Quarters and Government Bangla College.

Tarique later inspected Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute and Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital at Agargaon.

He also visited his alma mater Dhaka Residential Model College, where he addressed students and urged them to help build a clean Bangladesh and plant more trees.

Tarique subsequently visited Dhanmondi Government Boys’ High School, Kalabagan Staff Quarters and Azimpur Government Officers’ and Employees’ Residential Quarters.

Expressing dissatisfaction with poor cleanliness and management at several locations, he gave the authorities concerned two weeks to improve cleanliness at the Azimpur government quarters.

Earlier, during his visit to Kuwait-Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital, he gave the authorities seven days to improve the hospital’s environment and cleanliness arrangements.

During his visit to Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute, Tarique found Associate Professor Dr Rafiqul Islam smoking in his untidy room and immediately instructed the hospital chairman to take action against the doctor. Rafiqul was subsequently suspended.

He also visited a footpath freed from hawkers at Mirpur-10.

Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton was present during the visit.

Throughout the surprise inspections, Tarique spoke to officials, students and members of the public, stressing the need for responsible action by the authorities concerned to improve public services, maintain cleanliness and protect public health.