Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain Bakul found several doctors absent during an inspection of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital on Saturday. He announced that departmental action would be taken after verifying their duty rosters.

Speaking to journalists after the inspection on Saturday (October 24), the minister said tenders worth more than Tk 16,000 crore would be invited within the next 15 to 20 days as part of efforts to improve the country’s healthcare sector.

He also outlined plans to bring five robotic surgery machines to Bangladesh and recruit 5,000 doctors and 25,000 midwives.

The minister warned that action would be taken against irregularities at private clinics. He also referred to a restriction on establishing new clinics within one kilometre of government hospitals.

Earlier, the minister visited the Fulbaria and Tarakanda Upazila Health Complexes. During the visits, he discussed plans to improve the quality of healthcare services, recruit doctors and upgrade the facilities to 151 beds.