Staff Correspondent

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain has warned that patients being denied treatment or forced to pay for tests outside public hospitals will not be tolerated.

He made the remarks during a surprise visit to Mugda Medical College Hospital in Dhaka on Friday amid complaints over patient harassment and irregularities, according to a press release from the health ministry.

The minister visited several wards, including the dengue unit, and spoke with doctors and patients.

He also checked prescriptions and heard complaints from patients before warning doctors on duty over alleged lapses in care.

Sakhawat said Mugda Hospital had been prioritised and provided with the necessary support to treat dengue patients, making any failure to provide services unacceptable.

He was particularly critical of complaints that patients were being sent elsewhere for diagnostic tests despite the hospital having the required facilities.

The minister said forcing patients to undergo tests outside the hospital placed an unnecessary financial burden on them.

He described it as “completely unacceptable” for dengue patients to be sent elsewhere for tests that could be carried out at the hospital.

The surprise visit followed public criticism on social media over the quality of services and alleged irregularities at Mugda Hospital, the ministry said.

Sakhawat said action would be taken over any wrongdoing found at the facility.

“Irregularities and negligence in medical services will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” he said.

“Either I will remain, or the irregularities and corruption in the hospital will.”