State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock, Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, announced strict disciplinary action against staff following a surprise visit to Tangail Medical College Hospital on Wednesday (June 17). Arriving directly from Dhaka, the minister inspected the emergency and outpatient departments, wards, and washrooms, expressing deep dissatisfaction with the hospital's poor service and unhygienic conditions.
During the inspection, the State Minister found over 50 of the hospital's 335 doctors, nurses, and staff absent. He immediately ordered a show-cause notice for the hospital's Deputy Director, Dr. Md. Kamrul Kibria, for negligence of duty, and suspended all staff leave for the next 15 to 20 days.
"If anyone does not want to work here, they can go elsewhere. Irregularities will not be tolerated," Tuku stated.
News of the minister's arrival drew crowds of patients and their relatives, who complained about harassment by brokers, inadequate medical care, and general suffering. Hearing these grievances, the minister remarked that the hospital's condition was so dire it felt practically abandoned.
He heavily criticized the filthy state of the hospital's washrooms and sought a formal explanation from Hospital Director Dr. Mohammad Abdul Quddus, ordering an immediate management overhaul.
Tuku also questioned on-duty Ansar members about how drug addicts and unauthorized individuals were freely entering the premises. He directed the police and executive magistrates to conduct regular mobile courts to restore security and discipline.
"The purpose of this surprise visit was to see the actual situation. We have room for improvement, but management must be strictly maintained," the minister told the hospital director. "A hospital where drug use occurs is no longer a hospital. It compromises the safety of everyone, especially patients. This is completely unacceptable."
Speaking to journalists after the inspection, Tuku, who is also the BNP Publicity Secretary, said, "There were many allegations regarding Tangail Medical College Hospital, which I found to be true today. We will ensure better healthcare for the public by cleaning up the facility and eradicating these irregularities. Strict action will be taken against those responsible."
Present during the inspection were Hospital Director Dr. Mohammad Abdul Quddus, Associate Professor Dr. SM Roknuzzaman, Additional District Magistrate Md. Mahbub Hasan, Private Secretary to the State Minister Md. Abubakar Sarkar, Additional SP (Sadar Circle) HM Mahbub Rezwan Siddiqui, UNO Shahin Mia, PWD Executive Engineer Shambhu Ram Pal, and Tangail Sadar Police Station OC Ruhul Amin.
