Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Sakhawat Hossain on Sunday made a surprise visit to Charbhadrasan Upazila Health Complex in Faridpur and announced plans to upgrade the facility to a 151-bed hospital.
The minister arrived at the hospital around 9:00 am, prompting a rush among officials and staff.
During the inspection, he visited different departments, assessed the overall condition of the facility and spoke to patients about the quality of treatment and services.
He asked patients about the quality of food being served, the availability of medicines and the cleanliness of toilets. Upazila Health Officer Dr Hafizur Rahman accompanied the minister during the inspection.
During the visit, the minister was informed that a nurse working under the Family Planning Department had remained absent from duty for a prolonged period. He immediately called the director general (DG) from the hospital premises and instructed him to transfer the nurse to Sadarpur.
Later, speaking to local journalists, Sakhawat announced that the Charbhadrasan Upazila Health Complex would be upgraded to a 151-bed facility. He also assured that a gynecologist and a paediatrician would be appointed on an urgent basis to strengthen healthcare services at the hospital.
The minister’s surprise visit came as part of his inspection of healthcare facilities and efforts to ensure better services for patients at the grassroots level.
Charbhadrasan Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Julhas Hossain Saurav and Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Charbhadrasan police station Mohammad Shafor Ali were present.