The health ministry has “no problem” with the directorate general of health services (DGHS), Health Minister Zahid Maleque said on Tuesday following media reports.
“Administratively the ministry can ask them (DGHS) to explain their works. It’s part of the government work. The government is looking into the immoral activities of JKG and Regent Hospital. If convicted, they must be severely punished and exemplary action must be taken against those who sheltered them,” he said.
The minister was interacting with journalists at the ministry. The JKG and the Regent Hospitals have been issuing fake certificates for Covid-19.
Maleque’s comment follows the recent letter by the health ministry asking the Director General for health Prof Abul Kalam Azad to serve an explanation of his comment cited in a health directorate press statement that “health directorate signed the agreement with Regent Hospital under the directives of the higher authorities of the health ministry.”
Replying to a question, the minister, said the letter is only a part of the administrative and bureaucratic work of the government. This is not a problem between the ministry and the department,” he said.
“Both are organs of the government. Both the organisations are currently working day and night to deal with the Covid-19 disaster.”
The minister also held a meeting with secretary for health services Abdul Mannan and secretary for medical education Md Ali Noor.
He directed the secretaries to be vigilant on whether the general public is being deprived of services in all clinics and hospitals in the country.
He also asked them to take immediate action if there is any immoral activity, the health ministry said in a statement.