Bangladesh's Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque on Sunday (January 08, 2023) said there are no unauthorised clinics operating in the capital. The minister made the comment while responding to a tabled question of AL MP Habib Hasan. He said that if an unauthorised private clinic is found, necessary measures are taken as per the rules, including suspending the operation of the clinic by operating a mobile court with the help of law enforcement agencies. Also Read: Review of mass media employees bill gets another 60-day extension In response to the question from ruling Awami Leaague MP M. Abdul Latif, the health minister said that the process of starting the geriatric department for the treatment of the elderly in the medical college hospitals of the divisional cities across the country has started. Activities will start soon to provide modern medical care to patients aged 65 years and above at this department, he said. In response to AL MP Habib Hasan's question, the health minister said that the number of approved private hospitals and clinics in Dhaka city is 484. Read More: Policies must to stop misuse, overuse of antibiotics: Health Minister In reply to another question from AL MP Anwarul Abedin Khan, Zahid Maleque said that the government has a plan to increase the number of beds in all upazila health complexes in the country. He said that upgradation of upazila hospital from 31 to 50 beds is ongoing. Already five upazila health complexes have been upgraded to 100 beds. The government plans to upgrade all the 50-bed upazila hospitals to 100 beds as per requirement in phases, he said. Read More: “Won’t allow anyone to do business in the name of healthcare.” In response to the question of Didarul Alam, the minister said that the government has taken up the project of establishing one full-fledged cancer hospital at each divisional city where it will be possible to ensure the diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients of all ages including children.

Nationally, more than 90 percent adolescents are using mobile phones in Bangladesh, according to a survey.

In a bid to ensure fully smoking-free environment, two anti-tobacco advocacy organisations –-PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) and Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA)— on Monday proposed that the ban on smoking be extended to all public places, workplaces and public transport, including abolishment of ‘designated smoking zones’ provided in public places and work places.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque on Sunday said the Coronavirus vaccine will reach the country in the middle of February and the government is prepared for vaccine distribution among people.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque on Saturday said that an agreement to get supplies of the Covid-19 vaccine once it is approved would hopefully be reached in the next 'two to four days'.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque has said Bangladesh is now largely safe from the Covid-19 pandemic, though many people had earlier speculated that tens of thousands of people would die from Coronavirus in the country.

The government will build a 15-storey cancer hospital in each of the eight divisions within the next two years, Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque said Thursday.

Z H Sikder Women's Medical College & Hospital has launched coronavirus treatment at its 50-bed Gulshan hospital, offering 20 percent discount for frontline professionals.

Ailing ex-Health and Family Welfare Minister and Awami League leader Mohammad Nasim underwent a successful surgery on Friday after suffering a stroke, said Awami League office secretary Barrister Biplab Barua.   “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina talked to Tanvir Shakil Joy, son Mohammad Nasim, over phone. His family members sought doa from the people of the country for his recovery,” Biplab Barua said in a facebook post.   Earlier,  the condition of AL presidium member Mohammad Nasim deteriorated following a stoke while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in the city.   Director and CEO of Bangladesh Specialised Hospital in Shyamoli, Imran Chowdhury, said, “The Awami League leader suffered a stroke around 5 am on Friday. He is undergoing a surgery under Dr Rabiul Haque, chief of Neurosurgery Department of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital.”.   Also Read - Ex-Health Minister Nasim tests positive for Covid-19 after hospitalisation

No coronavirus case has yet been detected in Bangladesh which is good for the country, Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque said on Tuesday.