Agreement signed with Regent Hospital under health ministry high-ups’ directive: DGHS

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) today in a letter said it took the initiative to sign the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Regent Hospital after being directed by high officials of health ministry. 

DGHS also said despite the two branches of Regent Hospital having expired licences, it signed the MoU and gave them permission to treat Covid-19 patients with the condition to renew the licences.

The DGHS today issued an explanation letter, signed by its Assistant Director (Coordination) Dr Md Jahangir Kabir, to clarify its stance before media about the fraudulence of Regent Hospital owner Md Shahed and JKG Group. 

As patients were reportedly being denied by hospitals due to the evolving Covid-19 situation and the number of confirmed cases continued to increase, DGHS signed the MoU with Regent Hospitals, thinking that it will encourage other private hospitals to come forward to treat Covid-19 patients, the letter reads.

The DGHS in its letter claimed that it was unaware of the fraudulent activities of Shahed and his hospitals.  After being informed by the intelligence agency, they along with Rab conducted a raid at the hospital.

DGHS also said it gave permission to JKG Group to set up booths and collect samples of coronavirus patients as its coordinator Ariful Chowdhury went to DGHS saying that his organisation can set up booths -- like in South Korea -- to help the government deal with the Covid-19 crisis.

But after receiving allegations, DGHS cancelled the permission of JKG's sample collection, it reads.

Seeking cooperation from people, DGHS in the letter claimed a vested quarter is trying to tarnish the image of DGHS by providing false information to media.