Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain Bakul found that half of the on-duty doctors were absent during a surprise inspection at Palash Upazila Health Complex in Narsingdi on Saturday morning.
At around 8:30 am, when patients had already started gathering in the hospital corridors, the minister arrived at the facility without prior notice. Upon entering, he immediately checked the attendance register and duty roster to verify whether doctors had reported to work on time.
The visit followed complaints that doctors often fail to report to duty punctually at the hospital.
During the inspection, the minister found that 21 doctors were assigned to the hospital, of whom five were on leave. Among the remaining 16 on-duty doctors, only eight were present, while two of them arrived after the scheduled time.
The minister later toured different sections of the hospital and spoke with patients about the services they were receiving.
Speaking to journalists after the visit, the health minister confirmed the irregularities.
“We received reports that doctors at Palash Upazila Health Complex do not arrive on time. After visiting the hospital this morning, we found the complaint to be true.”
He added:
“Out of 16 doctors who were supposed to be on duty today, we found only eight present. Doctors perform a humanitarian service. We want healthcare services to reach people at their doorsteps through them. But they themselves are not present on time.”
The minister warned that disciplinary action would be taken against those who failed to report for duty in accordance with existing regulations.
He also said the government is working to ensure adequate vaccine supplies across the country.
“We are purchasing Rabies vaccines with cash payments and delivering them to every upazila. There will be no shortage of Rabies vaccines in the country.”
Among those present during the visit were Palash Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ishtiaq Ahmed, Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Kazi Mohammad Atikul Islam, Resident Medical Officer Dr. Abdullah Al-Mamun, and Palash Police Station Investigation Officer Kutubul Alam, among others.
