{
  "id": 484465,
  "title": "Private medical facilities: Licence validity extended for 2yrs, but hurdles remain",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/private-medical-facilities-licence-validity-extended-for-2yrs-but",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-10T16:26:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Star BD Health",
    "slug": "daily-star-bd-health",
    "url": "https://www.thedailystar.net/health/news/private-medical-facilities-licence-validity-extended-2yrs-hurdles-remain-4244676"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Bangladesh's health authorities have extended the validity of private medical facility licences from one year to two years, aiming to streamline the renewal process. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) announced the decision on Sunday, with the extension set to commence from July. However, private facility owners argue that the move will be ineffective unless other government bodies also extend the validity of their mandatory clearances. The extension comes amid concerns over patient safety and treatment quality, as numerous private facilities continue operating without renewed licences due to lax monitoring. Only 5,163 out of 19,382 healthcare facilities renewed their licences by mid-July this year. In 2025, 7,287 facilities will renew their licences. The interim health administration implemented the extension in December last year, but other agencies continued issuing licences for one year. DGHS hospital director Nurul Islam explained that delays in obtaining clearances often lead to facilities operating without valid licences. AM Shamim, general secretary of the Bangladesh Private Hospitals, Clinics, and Diagnostic Centres Owners Association, stated that facilities require around 18 separate licences and clearances from various agencies, leading to delays and negative perceptions about the private healthcare sector. He proposed an umbrella mechanism for coordination among all relevant agencies.",
  "summary": "Say owners",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}