Over 250 illegal healthcare facilities shut down across Bangladesh

The government has stepped up its crackdown on illegally operated hospitals, blood banks, clinics and diagnostic centres in Dhaka and different districts and upazilas across Bangladesh.

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has already shut down more than 250 illegal healthcare facilities across the country in the past five months through a series of drives, according to a report by BSS on Tuesday.

The health authorities began conducting regular drives against illegal healthcare facilities on 29 March this year. Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain personally attended several of the operations.

Dr Md Nurul Islam, director of the Hospital and Clinic Branch of the DGHS, said nearly 5,000 illegal and substandard hospitals, clinics, blood banks and diagnostic centres had so far been inspected across the country.

“More than 250 illegal clinics have been shut down,” he said.

Around 200 clinics have been given time to rectify irregularities, while facilities whose licences had expired were also given time to renew them. Meanwhile, nearly 6,000 clinics have renewed their licences, while applications from another 2,000 to 3,000 facilities are under review and will be approved subject to verification.

He said the drives were being conducted to restore discipline in the healthcare sector, rebuild public confidence and ensure safe medical services for people.

The health authorities have launched a nationwide crackdown on illegal and substandard hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centres, particularly those facing longstanding allegations of irregularities, operating without valid licences and providing poor-quality medical services.

According to a 2024 report by the health authorities, 1,285 hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centres were operating illegally across Bangladesh. Dhaka division accounted for the highest number, with 415 illegal facilities.

The report listed 111 illegal facilities in Rangpur, 252 in Mymensingh, 55 in Rajshahi, 240 in Chattogram, 48 in Barishal, 156 in Khulna and eight in Sylhet.

Over the past few months, the DGHS has shut down around 25 illegal healthcare facilities in the capital alone. During inspections, the health minister and investigation teams identified serious irregularities at several facilities. Some were fined, others were shut down, while some were issued show-cause notices.

The authorities have also closed four private hospitals and a diagnostic centre in Faridpur, six unlicensed clinics in Tangail, two clinics each in Shariatpur, Narsingdi and Pabna, two diagnostic centres in Manikganj, one facility in Harinakundu of Jhenaidah and one clinic in Godagari of Rajshahi.

Overall, around 200 illegal diagnostic centres, clinics and blood banks have been shut down in different districts and upazilas, according to the health authorities.

Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain said any hospital or clinic failing to maintain minimum healthcare standards would be shut down immediately, with no concessions.

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“There will be no compromise on ensuring the quality of healthcare,” he said.

He said the crackdown, which began in the capital, had gradually been expanded to remote areas across the country.

Legal action is also being taken against those operating hospitals or clinics illegally, he added.

Professor Dr Pravath Chandra Biswas, director general of the DGHS, said nationwide drives would be intensified to eliminate irregularities at healthcare facilities and restore transparency in the health sector.

As part of the operations, officials are checking licences, testing the quality of medical equipment, assessing compliance with health and hygiene regulations and verifying the valid credentials of doctors.

“Wherever irregularities are found, immediate action is being taken, including fines, sealing facilities or suspending operations,” he said.

The authorities have also begun taking action against fake doctors, nurses and medical technicians as part of the nationwide crackdown.