The newly appointed health minister and state minister have issued a series of directives to ministry officials aimed at enhancing the efficiency and people-centered focus of health services over the next six months.
During a recent meeting, they urged officials to address the significant number of vacant positions in field administration, amounting to approximately one-third of total posts, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
In addition to filling these vacancies promptly, the ministers emphasized the importance of establishing a transparent and corruption-free health administration, free from nepotism and syndicates, as highlighted by sources present at the meeting.
Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain and State Minister for Health MA Muhit conveyed these directives during their inaugural meeting with ministry officials and agency heads at the secretariat.
Following introductory remarks, Health Secretary Saidur Rahman provided an overview of the ministry’s responsibilities, ongoing activities, and existing challenges.
In response to concerns about the unfilled positions, MA Muhit instructed swift action to fill the vacancies, as sources reported.
Furthermore, the health minister tasked officials with developing a 180-day action plan aligned with the BNP’s healthcare sector manifesto, according to an official who attended the meeting.
Officials were also reminded to prioritize punctuality and streamline administrative processes, with a warning of surprise inspections at healthcare facilities to monitor staff attendance, as noted by another official.
Improving the quality of medical education was highlighted as a key priority by the minister during the discussions.
Key attendees at the meeting included Prof Abu Zafor, the director general of the Directorate General of Health Services, and Prof Nazmul Islam, the director general of the Directorate General of Medical Education.
Sakhawat, a graduate in economics from Dhaka University, was elected from Narasingdi-4 and assumed office as the health minister on Tuesday.
Joining him on the same day, MA Muhit, an ophthalmologist elected from Sirajganj-6, stepped into his role at the ministry. His father, MA Matin, previously served as deputy prime minister and health minister during the 1980s.
