Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain. File Photo

NARSINGDI, Aug 12, 2026 (BSS) - Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain said the government has intensified field-level supervision and reform initiatives to improve healthcare services at district and upazila hospitals and ensure quality treatment reaches people's doorsteps.

"Since assuming office, I have been visiting hospitals at district and upazila levels regularly to get the real picture of health facilities at the grassroots," the minister told BSS in an interview here recently.

During his visits, Sakhawat said he personally inspects emergency departments, patient wards, doctors' attendance, cleanliness, availability of essential medicines and the overall quality of services.

He said authorities have been instructed to ensure accountability whenever negligence, shortages of essential medicines or inadequate medical supplies are detected.

"Through these measures, we are putting greater emphasis on discipline and accountability in healthcare management at the field level," he said.

The minister said the government has also taken a firm stance against longstanding irregularities and corruption in the health sector.

"I am closely monitoring ministry activities to prevent wastage of public funds in the procurement of medical equipment and supplies and to ensure transparency in the procurement process," he said, adding that the government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against syndicates and irregularities.

The government is also taking several measures to reduce treatment costs for ordinary people, he said.

As part of the initiative, work is progressing to establish 50-bed dialysis centres at every medical college and 10-bed dialysis centres at district hospitals to ease the financial burden on kidney patients, particularly those living outside major cities.

Sakhawat also said he had directed the authorities to identify valuable medical equipment and modern machines lying unused for years at government hospitals and make them operational quickly through necessary repairs.

The move, he said, would increase the capacity of public hospitals and improve access to treatment.

The minister stressed that healthcare should not remain solely dependent on medicines, underscoring the importance of safe water, proper nutrition, public awareness and preventive measures.

At a national conference in Dhaka on August 11, he called for integrated planning and coordination among relevant ministries to ensure effective healthcare delivery.

Meanwhile, the government is working to build adequate buffer stocks of contraceptive supplies by September 15 to prevent possible shortages. Authorities have been instructed to ensure uninterrupted supplies of the necessary materials.

According to Health Ministry sources, the broader objective of the measures is to restore public confidence in government healthcare by strengthening field-level supervision, ensuring effective use of medical equipment and supplies, curbing corruption and irregularities, and making quality treatment more accessible and affordable.

The initiatives, if implemented effectively, are also expected to reduce the tendency of patients to seek advanced treatment abroad by improving the quality and capacity of government hospitals.

"Some dishonest administrative officials are trying to create various complications to disrupt normal healthcare activities. I am identifying them and taking necessary action, while the government is working to bring healthcare within the people's reach," Sakhawat said.

He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had taken various steps to modernise the country's healthcare sector and bring it closer to international standards.

"The results are already becoming visible. Our healthcare services will be unique and affordable," he said.