Dhaka, Mar 05 (V7N) — Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Sakhawat Hossain has warned that doctors working in government hospitals may face suspension of their licenses from the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council if they are found treating patients in private chambers during official duty hours.

The minister issued the warning during a briefing at the Secretariat on Thursday afternoon.

He said intelligence surveillance is being carried out across the country to ensure that doctors remain present at their workplaces and that government medicines reach ordinary patients properly.

The Health Minister also announced that the government plans to recruit one lakh personnel in the health sector to improve healthcare services nationwide. The recruitment will include positions such as midwives, pharmacists and medical technologists. Of the total recruitment, 80 percent will be women, he added.

Referring to a recent incident, the minister said Dr. Rajesh Majumder, a junior consultant at the 250-bed District Sadar Hospital in Shariatpur, was found treating patients in a private chamber instead of being present at his government workplace during scheduled duty hours on March 4.

After the matter came to the attention of Tarique Rahman, he immediately informed the Health Minister by phone.

Following the incident, Dr. Majumder has been asked to explain within three days why disciplinary action should not be taken against him. Authorities have also suspended his BMDC license for six months and instructed the Health Department to initiate departmental proceedings.

The minister reiterated that strict measures will be taken against any government doctor who neglects official duties while engaging in private practice.

END/SMA/AJ