The healthcare system in Bangladesh has been under a lot of scrutiny lately. In a recent drive against private hospitals and diagnostic centres in Mohammadpur on Wednesday raid by the Rapid Action Battalion and Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) and Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) found hospitals and diagnostic centres in a deplorable state.  

During the raid many blatant examples of negligence in healthcare safety were found including inaccurate lab tests, facilities being run by unqualified people, poor conditions of instruments and equipment. There were blood bags that didn't bear any collection and expiry dates. Despite failing to maintain the minimum standards in their establishments, the owners were permitted to continue operations after paying the small fine. Clearly, the punishment has not been stringent enough. 

In 2006, it was estimated that there are about 1683 hospitals in Bangladesh of which, 678 are government and the rest, private. The raid took place in three private hospitals in Dhaka. If these three hospitals are indicators of the state of affairs, one can only imagine how poorly the facilities outside the capital are being maintained. These particular facilities have been running for some time now. One is compelled to ask, where were the authorities all this time? 

Healthcare is a basic right and necessity. The current conditions of the hospitals are more likely to cause more health hazards than provide suitable environments for healing. We hope apt measures are taken so that quality of service provided in hospitals is duly improved. There must be constant oversight and regular scrutiny so that these hospitals do not become a public hazard.