Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain has directed all private clinics and hospitals across Bangladesh to establish delivery rooms by July 11. He warned that the licences of institutions failing to comply will be cancelled. The directive aims to curb the growing trend of unnecessary Caesarean section (C-section) deliveries in private healthcare facilities.
Minister's Concerns and Directives
Speaking at a workshop organised by the Bangladesh Midwifery Society (BMS), the minister expressed concern over the increasing rate of unnecessary C-sections. He attributed this trend to healthcare providers becoming excessively profit-driven, prioritising financial gain over patients' welfare.
Sakhawat Husain noted that Bangladesh once had a strong tradition of safe normal deliveries, particularly in rural areas with the assistance of experienced birth attendants. However, commercial interests have contributed to a sharp rise in avoidable Caesarean operations.
Addressing Unethical Practices
The minister alleged that some private clinics and brokers mislead expectant families by exaggerating pregnancy-related complications and creating fear that both mother and baby would be at risk without immediate surgery, forcing many to opt for C-sections. He assured that the government would take strict measures to stop such unethical practices and protect pregnant women from unnecessary surgical procedures.
Additional Health Measures
Referring to the dengue situation, Sakhawat Husain said adequate hospital beds and mobile medical services have been arranged for dengue patients. Dengue prevention activities have been underway at the upazila level for the past two months.
He announced that mosquito larvicide tablets would be supplied across the country within the next seven days alongside ongoing cleanliness drives. The minister also mentioned that the earlier shortage of saline had been resolved and sufficient supplies were now available.
Future Plans and Recruitment
The minister instructed doctors not to discharge dengue patients until they are fully satisfied with their recovery, even if the fever subsides, stressing the need to closely monitor the risk of plasma leakage. He further announced that the government plans to recruit 100,000 new personnel in the health sector, of whom 80,000 will be women, with the majority serving as midwifery professionals.
