Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain made a surprise visit to Morrelganj Upazila Health Complex in Bagerhat on Saturday and found a large stock of expired medicines worth lakhs of taka in the facility's abandoned building.

During the inspection, the minister also reviewed the quality of healthcare services, food provided to patients, cleanliness and the shortage of doctors at the health complex.

After visiting different departments, he expressed dissatisfaction over the irregularities and other shortcomings.

"The poor people of my country do not get medicines, while expired medicines worth lakhs of taka are lying in the store," the minister said.

He directed the authorities concerned to take immediate steps to address the problems identified during the visit.

The minister also inspected a nearby private clinic in the area.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Sakhawat Hossain said the country's healthcare system had deteriorated due to irregularities, corruption and money laundering during the previous government.

He said the current government is working to restore the health sector and expressed hope that people in the area would receive better healthcare services in the future.

"We want our poor and hardworking people to receive services with the facilities we have. We are planning to upgrade the hospital from 50 beds to 100 beds. The tender process will begin soon and work will start afterwards," he said.

The minister said he had taken note of all the issues identified during the inspection and would discuss them with the higher authorities in Dhaka to ensure necessary action is taken in the public interest.

Later, he visited nearby Sarankhola Upazila Health Complex for a similar inspection.

Finally, the minister visited Bagerhat Sadar Hospital.

Bagerhat Deputy Commissioner Golam Md Baten and Superintendent of Police Hasan Mohammad Nasher Rikabdar, among others, accompanied the minister during the visit.