Ongoing drives against unauthorised hospitals, clinics not enough: TIB

The ongoing drives against unauthorised private hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centres and other outfits is positive, but not enough, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) said today.

To get sustainable benefits, the long-awaited draft act to control and monitor the private healthcare sector has to be implemented after enacting it shortly, said the anti-corruption watchdog.

"The submission of a large number of applications into the one day of drive proves the huge absence of monitoring. Under that reality, it is questionable how much the drive will have impact," Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of TIB, said in a press release.

He also stressed on forming a high-power regulatory body to monitor the quality of the private health sector and ensure good governance there.

The organisation also stressed on conducting such drives on regular basis.

Besides, it urged the authorities will issue and renew licence those organisations meeting criteria through proper inspection.

In this case, the organisation urged to ensure that the health directorate officials can complete their tasks in an unbiased manner and staying free from political influences, fear and nepotism.

TIB also urged the government to bring all those involved in operating unauthorised outfits.