Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has criticised the government physicians for their lack of willingness to stay at workplaces across the country’s remote areas.
“When we appoint new doctors, and give them posting at the upazila-level hospitals, they don't stay there. This problem appears in case of government jobs. Whenever we post them, they somehow manage to return to or stay in Dhaka,’’ the PM said.
“They don't need to continue the job this way. They can quit their jobs. And then, we'll go for new recruitment," she said expressing her utmost disappointment regarding the government physicians’ service commitment.
“They can easily earn huge money if they carry out private practices staying in Dhaka.’’
According to local news agencies, she made the remarks ahead of the handover of the keys of ambulances to government hospitals, upazila health complexes and health institutions at a simple ceremony held at her office on Thursday morning.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammad Nasim and State Minister Zahid Maleque also spoke on the occasion, according to local news agencies.
The prime minister directed authorities concerned to further improve the standard of education in the medical institutions to create quality physicians in the country.
"We have set up many medical colleges. But they need to maintain the quality of education. They have to look into the matter whether their students are going to be physicians of killing people or saving them," she said.
Sheikh Hasina said her government has set up Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University in Dhaka, while two new medical universities -- one in Chittagong and another in Rajshahi -- are also being established for ensuring higher education for medical students and further improving healthcare services.
Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mazammel Huq, Prime Minister's Adviser HT Imam and State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Narayan Chandra Chanda were also present at the ceremony.
