Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited 13 locations across the capital in a surprise inspection lasting four and a half hours on Saturday. His visits covered hospitals, educational institutions and residential areas for government employees. He also inspected a hawker-free footpath in Mirpur-10.

The Prime Minister began his inspections at 9:10am and continued until 1:41pm on October 17. During the visits, he spoke with officials concerned and reviewed cleanliness, service quality and overall management at various establishments.

According to the Prime Minister’s Press Wing, he first visited Kuwait-Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital in Uttara. He then visited Rajuk Uttara Model College and Mirpur Cantonment Public School and College.

As part of the inspection programme, he also visited the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh in Mirpur, Paikpara Staff Quarters and Government Bangla College.

Later, the Prime Minister visited Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute in Agargaon and Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital.

He subsequently visited Dhaka Residential Model College, his former educational institution. Addressing students there, he called for building a clean Bangladesh and urged them to plant more trees.

The Prime Minister also inspected Dhanmondi Government Boys’ High School, Kalabagan Staff Quarters and the government officials’ and employees’ residential quarters in Azimpur.

Expressing dissatisfaction over unhygienic conditions and shortcomings in management at several locations, he directed the authorities concerned to take corrective measures. He gave the authorities two weeks to improve cleanliness at the Azimpur government quarters. Earlier, during his visit to Kuwait-Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital, he had given the authorities seven days to improve the hospital’s environment and sanitation.

During the inspection at Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute, the Prime Minister reportedly found Associate Professor Dr Rafiqul Islam smoking inside his office. The room was also found to be untidy. He immediately instructed the hospital chairman to take action against the physician. Following the directive, Dr Rafiqul Islam was temporarily suspended.

The Prime Minister also inspected a hawker-free footpath in Mirpur-10. Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton was present at the time.

During the surprise visits, the Prime Minister interacted with officials, students and members of the public. He emphasised the responsibility of the authorities concerned in ensuring better public services, cleanliness and public health.