Negligence by doctors cannot be accepted

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday sharply criticised the physicians who are not available in their workplaces at the upazila level, saying that negligence towards patients is unacceptable.

“We're appointing doctors and nurses as required, but it's regrettable that our doctors don't stay in upazilas, where it's supposed to have 10 doctors in one upazila hospital ... only one doctor is found in some areas,” she said.

The PM said this while inaugurating the golden jubilee celebration programme of Sher-e-Bangla Medical College in Barishal through videoconferencing from the Gono Bhaban.

The government, she said, has upgraded the 31-bed upazila hospitals to 50-bed ones and 100-bed district hospitals to 250-bed ones.

The government is appointing doctors and other support staff accordingly, Hasina said.

“In some places, there're operating theatres, but no doctor, surgeon, anesthetist and nurse! We'll set up institutions and those will remain neglected, how come! This cannot be allowed,” she said.

The PM also mentioned that the government is setting up medical colleges and institutions as per the demand and now it is the responsibility and duty of the doctors to provide services to people. "I hope people will get that service.”

Hasina said the government has taken up a number of programmes to reach healthcare to the doorsteps of people.

About nuclear energy, Hasina said the government has conducted a survey in some islands of Barishal to set up another nuclear power plant. “I've a plan to establish the next nuclear power plant at an island in this region.”

Hasina said a feasibility study is on to transmit gas through pipeline from Bhola to Barishal where there is a crisis of gas. “Gas is necessary to build some industries in this area.”

Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammed Nasim and State Minister Zahid Maleque also spoke at the programme.

From the same videoconference, the PM inaugurated four modern buildings having 345 flats at Doyaganj and Dholpur City Colony under Dhaka South City Corporation for its cleaning staff.

Speaking on the occasion, Hasina said she always treats a person as a human being and shows respect accordingly. “The Father of the Nation taught us this."

The government has already taken initiatives to replace the old system of cleaning up the city with modern equipment, she said.

Hasina also directed the ministry concerned to take initiatives to ensure accommodation for the cleaning staff working at the district and upazila levels.

LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Khandker Mosharraf Hossain and Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sayeed Khokon also spoke on the occasion.