41 illegal hospitals sealed across the country

The local administrations of Chattogram, Faridpur, Natore, Kushtia, Chandpur and Bhola districts have shut at least 41 unregistered clinics, hospitals, and diagnostic centers following the directions of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Chattogram's Civil Surgeon Dr Mohammad Ilyas Chowdhury in a surprise visit on Saturday closed four private clinics and diagnostic centers in the city for irregularities.

The private clinics and diagnostic centers are Cosmopolitan Hospital Pvt. Ltd. at Chatteshwari Road, Popular Medical Center at DT Road, Nirupani Pathology Laboratory at city's Dhampara, CSTC Hospital above Panchlaish Treatment Building.

Of the rest, 20 were sealed in five upazilas of Faridpur, seven in Natore, five in Kushtia, four in Chandpur and one in Bhola according to local authorities.

On Thursday, DGHS directed the authorities concerned to close all unregistered clinics, private hospitals and diagnostic centres across the country within 72 hours.

No clinic, private hospital and diagnostics center will be allowed to run their activities until they get a license, said the health authority.

A team of the health service division led by Faridpur district Civil Surgeon Dr Md Siddiqur Rahman shutted down two diagnostic centers in Faridpur sadar upazila, three in Saltha upazila, seven each in Madhukhali and Boalmari upazila, and one in Sadarpur upazila.

During a joint drive conducted by Natore Health Service division and district administration Central Lab Diagnostic, Padma Clinic, Faim Diagnostic, Barat Diagnostic and Clinic, Healthcare Diagnostic, Tamanna Diagnostic, and Madina Eye Hospital were sealed.

Meanwhile, Kushtia Civil Surgeon Dr HM Anwarul Islam said following the direction five illegal private clinics of Kumarkhali upazila were shut and another was warned . The closed clinics are, Pratik Adhunik Clinic & Diagnostic Center, Pradip Digital Diagnostic Center, Biswash Dental Care, Shimul Dental Care and Kumarkhali Diabetic Association.

Besides, three illegal diagnostic centers in Haimchar upazila and another in Hajiganj upazila of Chandpur district were shut, said Dr Belayet Hossain and Dr Golam Mowla Health and Family Planning officers of the respective upazilas.

Bhola executive magistrate Ali Suja sealed Abdul Khaleque Memorial Hospital after it could not provide legal documents and license while conducting a mobile court drive.