Health ministry form teams to inspect hospitals on regular basis
They have been asked to monitor's attendance of doctors and healthcare facilities
The health ministry has established teams to conduct regular inspections of government hospitals throughout the nation. These inspections encompass various aspects, such as digital doctor attendance, cleanliness, equipment, infrastructure, and management. A circular issued by the Health Service Division on Sunday outlined this initiative.
A team of 69 officials, ranging from additional to assistant secretaries, have been designated to oversee various types of hospitals, including specialized and medical college hospitals, to enhance healthcare quality, uphold administrative discipline, and provide improved public services. Previously, the ministry assigned officials for hospital monitoring; however, this time, they are mandated to regularly monitor digital doctor attendance and submit reports on their attendance.
This directive followed Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to the health ministry last month, where he urged authorities to ensure doctors' regular presence at work. The officials were also directed to employ geofencing and other digital technologies to ensure doctors' consistent attendance, with attendance records linked to salaries, leave, and promotions.
Ministry insiders revealed that many doctors were previously skipping duty during office hours, denying patients essential healthcare services. The directives emphasize coordination with hospital authorities to improve healthcare services, particularly in manpower, cleanliness, equipment, infrastructure, security, and overall management.
The officials are also tasked with supporting vaccination programs, non-communicable disease prevention, public awareness activities, and programs aimed at reducing maternal and child deaths, elderly healthcare, nutrition, and other public health services. Designated officers are required to submit their observations and recommendations to the relevant ministry branch by the 7th of each month, with each official expected to conduct at least one inspection per month.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Star BD Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
