Health Ministry's 54 officials get responsibility for hospital oversight

In an office order issued on September 30 by the Administration-1 branch of the Health Services Division, these officials at the level of additional secretary, joint secretary and deputy secretary were assigned to inspect various medical colleges, specialized, district and upazila hospitals.

The assigned officials have been asked to monitor hospital staffing, doctors' digital attendance, cleanliness, medical equipment, infrastructure, security and overall management. In addition, progress of vaccination, prevention of communicable diseases, maternal and child care, nutrition and public awareness activities must also be monitored.

According to the order, officials must regularly visit districts, upazilas and hospitals, identify problems and take necessary initiatives to resolve them. Each official must conduct at least one inspection per month and submit the inspection report to the designated branch by the 7th of the following month.

Separate supervising officials have also been designated for important hospitals and specialized institutions including Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Mitford Hospital, Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, and National Cancer Research Institute.

In addition, responsibility has also been given to supervise hospitals at the upazila level alongside hospitals in various districts of the country. Officials have been asked to work in coordination with the district administration, civil surgeon, upazila administration and hospital authorities.