The visit followed a report on alleged medicine scam at the DRS medicine store published in The Daily Star earlier.

The DG held several meetings with health officials including the civil surgeon and expressed displeasure over the medicine scam, alleged lax health administration in the district and pitiable condition of the Sadar Hospital, sources said.

Dr. Shahjahan at a meeting with health officials expressed his surprise why the CS did not form a body to probe the medicine scam. He warned that action would be taken for such lapses.

The alleged medicine scam took place on the night of May 25 when police intercepted an ambulance and arrested its driver Zafar for carrying date-expired medicines supplied from Magura district reserve store. Storekeeper Lutfar Rahman of the DRS was arrested on Thursday following a statement of the driver.

Dr Shahjahan, after visiting the emergency ward, OT (Operation Theatre) and other sections in Magura Sadar Hospital, held the meeting where he expressed utter dissatisfaction over irregularities, a doctor who attended the meeting told this correspondent requesting anonymity.

The DG criticised the CS for the recent medicine scam and poor condition of two OTs at the Sadar Hospital. He ordered the CS to repair air cooler and lighting systems at the OTs.

He expressed his surprise how posts of surgery cosultant, eye consultant and pathology consultant could lie vacant for months and asked the CS to send a letter immediately to authorities for appointment of doctors.

Talking to this correspondent yesterday, CS Dr. Fariduddin said he would form a 3-member body to probe the medicine scam.