Outdoor department patients will be given free treatment at all the public medical colleges, specialised and district hospitals and upazila health complexes on August 15, the National Mourning Day.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Directorate of Health instructed the hospitals about this.
In two separate circulars, they said that although 15 August is a government and weekly holiday [Friday], all public health institutes must remain open for two hours from 8am till 10am to provide the poor with free tickets with healthcare and treatments.
Director (hospital and clinic) of the Directorate of Health ABM Abdul Hannan told the Dhaka Tribune: ‘’We have already circulated the health ministry’s instructions to all medical college, specialised and district hospitals and upazila health complexes. Free medicine will be given to the patients.”
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) will provide free treatment with its professors, associate and assistant professors (specialised).
The BSMMU authority has also asked all the departmental heads to see the outdoor patients without tickets from 8:30am till 12:30am.
It had the same arrangement for the National Mourning Day last year.
Health Minister Mohammed Nasim has asked the private hospitals and clinics to provide free service on 15 August. As per the minister’s request, several private hospitals and clinics will give free health care service that day.