Minister Calls for Technology-Driven, Patient-Centric District Hospitals to Improve Healthcare Services
Bangladesh's Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and Science and Technology, Fakir Mahbub Anam, has stressed the need to transform district hospitals into modern, clean and patient-friendly healthcare facilities through improved governance, accountability and technology-enabled service management.
Speaking after a meeting of the District Hospital Management Committee at the 250-bed Tangail General Hospital on Saturday evening, the minister said healthcare is a fundamental right of citizens and that quality medical services require professionalism, transparency and coordinated efforts from all stakeholders.
He urged that no pressure should be exerted to revoke disciplinary transfers or administrative actions against doctors, nurses or hospital staff found lacking in professionalism or negligence in providing healthcare services.
The meeting reviewed the hospital's overall performance, including healthcare quality, patient-friendly services, attendance of physicians and healthcare workers, medicine supply, availability of medical equipment, cleanliness, security and infrastructure development.
The minister said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has given the highest priority to the healthcare sector and that the government is committed to modernizing district hospitals across the country.
He noted that shortages of physicians, technicians, medical equipment, manpower and infrastructure, including lift facilities, would be addressed in phases through targeted government initiatives.
Fakir Mahbub Anam emphasized that emergency medical care, compassionate treatment of patients and maintaining hospital cleanliness must remain top priorities, adding that patients should receive quality healthcare without harassment.
He also reaffirmed the government's commitment to providing policy and administrative support while stressing that accountability and professional responsibility among healthcare workers remain essential for improving public confidence.
Speaking as co-chair of the meeting, State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku described the Tangail General Hospital as a vital healthcare institution serving both the district and surrounding regions.
He said initiatives are underway to recruit additional healthcare personnel to address existing manpower shortages, noting that discussions have already been held with the Ministry of Health.
The state minister also said measures would be taken to improve oxygen supply, ambulance services and other critical hospital infrastructure to enhance healthcare delivery.
The meeting was attended by Tangail Deputy Commissioner Sharifa Haque, Additional Deputy Commissioner Sanjoy Kumar Mohanta, Professor Dr. Abdul Quddus, Director of Tangail Medical College, Officer-in-Charge Golam Mukhtar Ashraf Uddin of Tangail Sadar Police Station, and senior officials from the hospital and medical college.
//DBTech/SME/MI//
