Defying government’s directives, as many as 53 private hospitals including clinics and diagnostic centres in Khulna have not applied for the renewal of their licences yet.
According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and Civil Surgeon office in Khulna, 19 private hospitals and 34 diagnostics centres were found running with expired licences during multiple drives conducted from July 16 to September 23. The owners of the private facilities were told to renew their licence within September 30.
However, despite having online update facilities, the private hospitals and diagnostic centres did not apply for licence renewal till the date.
The government will take stern action against the authorities of the private clinics and diagnostic centres in the district if they fail to apply online for their license renewal before the deadline, according to Khulna health department sources.
Confirming the matter, Khulna Divisional Health Officer Dr Rasheda Sultana, said: “We inspected private hospitals and diagnostics centres in the district in July. The private hospitals and diagnostics centres that had not apply for licence renewal or registration that time were told to renew their licences or apply for registration within September 30.”
The owners of the clinics and centres were also sent letters asking to get their registration renewed within the stipulated time, otherwise their clinics and diagnostic centres will be shut down after September 30, added Dr Rasheda Sultana.
Among the most famous clinics and diagnostic centres without renewed licences in Khulna are: Moitree Nursing Home and Patient Nursing Home in Dighalia upazila, Patla Community Hospital , Community Hospital, Shopno Siri Hospital Pvt Hospital Limited and Diagnostic Centre in Terokhada upazila, Reva-Abdul Wadud Memorial Hospital and Nasir Uddin Memorial Hospital in Rupsa Upazila, Jonosheba Clinic, Chuknagar Surgical Clinic and Diagnostic in Dumuria upazila, Sundarban Clinic and Nursing Home, MR Central Hospital and Sonali Clinic and Diagnostic Centre in Batighata upazila, Palok Clinic and Diagnostic Centre, Ashalota Clinic and Tuli Diagnostic Centre, M Monowara Hospital and Monowara Clinic in Paikgachha upazila and Pilot Surgical Hospital, Sagor Nursing Home and Roy Clinic in Koyra upazila, according to Khulna Civil Surgeon office.
Meanwhile, according to the Khulna Divisional Health Department, there are 232 clinics in the metropolis. Of them, 70 clinics have renewed their licences, while 39 clinics have no licences. Besides, 14 clinics are operating without renewed licences and 45 clinics are being verified upon their applications of registration.
Regarding the matter, Khulna Civil Surgeon Dr Sujat Ahmed, said: “The private clinics and diagnostic running without renewed licences were given time till September 30 to renew their licences . If the owners of the clinics and diagnostic centre s do not apply for licence renewal within the stipulated time, their institutions will be shut.”