Health minister Zahid Maleque on Tuesday claimed his ministry has no conflict with the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
He further said there could be a temporary misunderstanding between the two important organisations of the government, but that has not been affecting the healthcare services amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The minister said this while briefing the newsmen at his office in the capital at noon.
Zahid Maleque said the ministry can seek explanations to the health directorate for its work. This is a part of the routine task of the government, he added.
On 11 July, the DGHS claimed that it took the initiative to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Regent Hospital as per directives from the top authorities of the health ministry. DGHS made the claim, in a press statement, to clarify its position on the fraudulence of Regent Hospital owner Md Shahed and JKG Health Care.
The minister said the government has been investigating the criminal activities committed by the authorities of Regent Hospital and the JKG (Jobeda Khatun General) Health Care. Exemplary actions will be taken against them if they are found guilty, he added.
There is no gap of relationship between the health ministry and the health directorate, the minister said in response to a question of a newsman during the briefing.
Both the organisations are parts of the government and have been working day and night to provide health care services to the people hit hard by COVID-19, he added.
About the activities of JKG Health Care and Regent Hospital, the minister said, the two private organisations were appointed to conduct some specific tasks. One is JKG and another is Regent Hospital. If anything illegal was done, the organisation and the authorities are responsible for that. There are some processes to appoint a hospital. The DGHS follows the processes. They were appointed following that process.
Zahid Maleque said, “We attended an inter-ministerial meeting at the health directorate office. The secretaries and others were also there. At the request of DG..., you also stay, an agreement will be signed. What agreement would be signed? An agreement will be signed with Regent after the lunch. We were also present there. We’re happy that a new hospital had come forward to provide healthcare to coronavirus patients. Private hospitals were at that time reluctant to treat coronavirus patients.
"They (the hospital authorities came and signed, we were happy as well. That’s it! We left the place. What happened later is unfortunate and condemnable. What they have done, those are illegal. As per the law, actions are being taken for committing misdeeds. They will be punished accordingly. Whether the ministry had given any directives or not, that would have been keep in the file. You’ll see it when he (health directorate DG) explains. The secretary has asked for an explanation. Let’s wait for his explanation.”
The minister said orders have been given to conduct raids at hospitals and diagnostic centres to check licenses. A taskforce has also been formed. Its members would regularly inspect the hospitals and diagnostic centres.
After briefing the newsmen, the minister attended different meetings with healthcare division secretary Abdul Mannan, and health education and family welfare division secretary Ali Noor.
Maleque directed them to remain vigilant whether people are being deprived of healthcare services at clinics and hospitals. He also asked them to take prompt actions if any hospital or clinic is found to be involved with illegal practices.