Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain has said that the government remains firm in its anti-corruption stance, revealing that Ad-din Hospital failed to have its licence reinstated despite alleged attempts to influence the decision with large sums of money.
Speaking as the chief guest at a financial assistance distribution programme for underprivileged people held at the Manohardi Upazila Parishad Auditorium in Munshiganj on Saturday, the minister said that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had directed all officials to maintain strict integrity and avoid any form of corruption.
He claimed that the hospital had made attempts involving “crores of taka” to regain its operational approval, but the government still proceeded with the cancellation of its licence.
“This government is running differently. Even after spending crores, Ad-din Hospital could not restore its licence,” he said, highlighting what he described as the administration’s zero-tolerance approach to corruption.
The minister also said the government is working to expand and improve healthcare services across the country, with special attention to women and children. He criticised past administrations, alleging that corruption had resulted in large-scale financial losses and the transfer of public wealth abroad.
He further stated that citizens no longer need to pay bribes to access government services under the current administration.
Among the new initiatives announced, he mentioned a pilot healthcare programme in which trained medical personnel will visit households to provide primary care, referring patients to hospitals only when necessary. He also disclosed plans to establish two specialised 3,000-bed hospitals with support from China, focusing on women’s and children’s healthcare.
During the event, financial assistance was distributed to more than 200 disadvantaged residents, followed by a tree plantation programme at the upazila parishad premises where the minister also distributed saplings among students.
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