The government is going to implement a new policy stating that hospitals will not receive approval for new equipment purchases unless there are enough staff available to operate them.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Samanta Lal Sen shared this information during a dialogue at the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum held at the secretariat’s media centre on Sunday. “We will only approve the purchase of new machines for a hospital if there are qualified personnel to operate them.”

Dr Sen gave an example of a situation where a hospital had a digital X-ray machine but no staff to operate it. “We will not take such steps.”

Addressing a recent notice from the Dhaka Medical College Hospital’s director, Brigadier General Md Asaduzzaman, which barred hospital staff from speaking to the media without permission, Dr Sen called for clarity to avoid any conflict between doctors and journalists.

He said, “I spoke with the director this morning and said that there should be no discrimination or controversy, and no ill-treatment of journalists.”

Dr Sen also discussed improving primary health care, stating that community clinics could convince mothers to deliver their babies at hospitals, thereby reducing the maternal mortality rate.

He informed that the meeting discussed preventing child drownings, suggesting that village childcare centres could care for children while their mothers work.

The minister expressed his intent to prevent the transfer of patients from public hospitals to private clinics, aiming to make government hospitals self-sufficient.

He talked about plans to address the poor condition of hospital infrastructure, emphasising the need to standardise facilities such as hospital buildings, doctors’ accommodations, and operating theatres.

“I have informed the health engineering department about these issues, and I aim to hold doctors accountable if they are not performing their duties,” he added.

Major steps to control drug prices

In response to a question about rising drug prices, Dr Sen revealed that significant measures would be taken to address this issue. “I have directed that the prices of medicines should not exceed the government-set retail price, and actions will be taken against any violations,” he said.

The health minister also said that it is important to monitor doctors’ punctuality. He said he has plans to visit hospitals outside Dhaka to ensure compliance.

He warned that negligence or carelessness in treatment would not be tolerated, as it could lead to loss of life. “There is no room for negligence in this regard.”