Medical equipment imported without planning under AL now ending up in junk shops: Minister

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain today said medical equipment imported indiscriminately and without proper planning during the Awami League government is now ending up in junk shops, with some of it still unopened in its original packaging.

Responding to a supplementary question from MP Sabikun Nahar during the question-and-answer session in the parliament, the minister said the health sector had been so severely neglected over 17 years of autocracy, misrule, corruption and disregard for the people that "even an hour would not be enough to describe the mismanagement".

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"This disorder has now fallen upon our democratically elected government," he added.

Earlier, Sabikun referred to her visit to Muktagachha Health Complex in Mymensingh, where she said there had long been a shortage of doctors and staff, with no specialist or female physicians available.

In reply, Sakhawat Husain said, "For 17 years, no recruitment was made. Wherever advertisements were issued, conditions were imposed to favour their own people, leading to writ petitions in every case. Many were sent on deputation, many left for abroad. We are now trying to recover by appointing doctors to vacant posts and recalling some staff. The government is set to recruit 5,000 doctors through a special BCS."

The minister also said two radiotherapy machines worth Tk 18 crore each have remained unused in Khulna and Faridpur because they were imported without ensuring the necessary safety management.

He added that X-ray machines had been supplied to many facilities without appointing technicians, while laboratory equipment had been provided without recruiting laboratory technicians.

On hospital management, the minister said, "I have requested all honourable Members of Parliament to visit hospitals. We are trying to improve each and every hospital."