Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain today said the government will free all government hospitals from brokers who divert patients to private clinics, ensuring better services for citizens.

He said a syndicate is diverting patients from government hospitals to various private clinics by giving them false assurances.

The minister made the remarks while talking to journalists after inspecting Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, Sylhet 250-bed District Hospital and Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital here today.

Sakhawat Husain said the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and all law enforcement agencies are working jointly to apprehend the broker syndicate. “As a result of these drives, the activities of the broker syndicate have declined compared to the past,” he added.

The health minister directed the concerned authorities to resolve the hospital’s hygiene-related problems within seven days.

He noted that drives against illegal clinics and fake doctors are ongoing effectively on a regular basis.

“Institutions where medical services, including surgeries, are being conducted by fake doctors and technicians holding fake certificates are being sealed off,” he added.

On doctor’s attendance in the hospital, the health minister said he has inspected more than 25 hospitals over the past month and found hundred percent attendances of doctors.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir was present along with the minister at the time.