The government has decided to shutdown private hospitals, laboratories and diagnostic centres if their licences are not renewed by August 23.
Directorate General of Health Services (DHGS) in a meeting on Saturday (August 8) took the decision in the wake of how Regent Hospital was allowed to operate as Covid-19 hospital without a licence for a long time.
Dr Md Shibbir Ahmed Osmani, member secretary of a committee formed to ensure proper healthcare service in private hospitals for Covid-19 patients confirmed the development to The Business Post.
He said, "All the private hospitals, clinics, blood banks and diagnostic centres must renew their licence by August 23. No one would be allowed to operate without licence irrespective of their power and might.”
"Earlier we gave them one month – it will not be extended anymore" he further added.
The meeting decided to facilitate the licence renewal process in quick time to those who already applied.
"We will launch surprise visits in hospitals and clinics with the mutual cooperation of home ministry," Osmani said.
