As many as 17 hospitals and diagnostic centres were sealed off in Chittagong on Monday as part of a nationwide drive under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Chittagong Civil Surgeon Dr Mohammad Elias Chowdhury shut the activities of Desh Medical Services Clinic due to lack of license and unlicensed nurses working in the surgery room while two other clinics - Health Home and Fair Health - have been instructed to update the documentation.
Meanwhile, a mobile court, led by Banshkhali Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Khondkar Mahmudul Hasan, shut the operations of six hospitals due to a lack of a license in Banshkhali upazila.
These six hospitals include Unique Diagnostic Centre, Mini Lab, Mamoni Diagnostic Centre, Modern Diagnostic Centre, National Hospital (Pvt) Ltd, and General Hospital Chambal.
Moreover, one unlicensed institution in Fatikchari upazila, one in Boalkhali upazila, two in Lohagara upazila, one in Anwara upazila, and three in Rangunia upazila have been shut down.
The DGHS once again launched a nationwide drive against illegal diagnostic centres and clinics from Monday.
According to DGHS, a total of 1,641 health institutions were closed in the last campaign that began in late May this year. As a result of the campaign, a revenue of Tk25 crore was generated from the registration application.
Besides, 1,986 other institutions are awaiting inspection for new licenses while 2,017 institutions are awaiting inspection for license renewal.