PM inspects 13 Dhaka sites in four and a half hours

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman carried out surprise inspections at 13 locations across Dhaka in four and a half hours on Saturday, visiting hospitals, educational institutions, government residential areas and a hawker-free footpath in Mirpur-10 to assess cleanliness, service quality and management.

The tour began at 9:10 am and continued until 1:41 pm on October 17, with the prime minister speaking to officials and examining the condition of facilities and the services offered to the public. He started at Kuwait-Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital in Uttara, then visited Rajuk Uttara Model College and Mirpur Cantonment Public School and College. Subsequently, he inspected the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh in Mirpur, Paikpara Staff Quarters and Government Bangla College, before moving on to Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute and Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital in Agargaon. He also called at his former school, Dhaka Residential Model College, where he urged students to help build a cleaner Bangladesh by planting more trees, and his itinerary further included Dhanmondi Government Boys’ High School, Kalabagan Staff Quarters and the Azimpur Government Officers’ and Employees’ Residential Quarters. Finally, he inspected a hawker-free footpath in Mirpur-10, accompanied by Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton.

Expressing dissatisfaction with poor hygiene and managerial shortcomings at several sites, Rahman gave the authorities two weeks to improve cleanliness at the Azimpur government residential complex, having earlier allowed the Kuwait-Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital seven days to upgrade its environment and sanitation. At Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute, he found Associate Professor Dr Rafiqul Islam smoking in his office, which was also in an unhygienic state, and immediately instructed the hospital’s chairman to take action. Consequently, Dr Islam was temporarily suspended.

Read More: Biman suspends Riyadh flights indefinitely

Throughout the visits, the prime minister engaged with officials, students and members of the public, stressing that accountability and responsible conduct are essential to delivering effective public services, cleanliness and public health.