“There’s no alternative but to introduce 24-hour services to ensure safe motherhood and reduce infant mortality,” he said.
The minister was addressing a discussion titled safe water and sanitation at hospitals jointly organised by NGO Forum Bangladesh and The Dainik Bhorer Kagoj at the vernacular daily’s office.
Two usable toilets were already set up at all 14,000 community clinics each, he said, adding that cleaning staff will be appointed soon.
He also said 72 percent of government hospitals have modern and clean toilet facilities and modernisation of the rest 28 percent are underway.
Bhorer Kagoj editor Shyamal Dutta conducted the programme which was attended by Md Saifur Rahman, chief engineer of the Department of Public Health Engineering; SM Moniruzzaman, national adviser (Policy Support) of the Local Government Division; and Ahsan Habib, Head of Research, Monitoring & Evaluation at NGO Forum for Public Health were, among others, present.