Health minister expresses concern about mental hospital's hygiene

Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain Bakul expressed concern about unhygienic conditions, including cockroaches and bedbugs on patients' beds, during a surprise visit to the National Institute of Mental Health today (8 March). 

Inspecting several wards and observing dirty bedding, he said, "Bedbugs in hospital beds prevent patients and attendants from sleeping. We spoke to those responsible for pest control – they cited some issues – but these could be resolved if the hospital director took sincere action."

Criticising food quality, Sakhawat Hossain said patients receive the assigned quantity but the quality is poor. "While eggs and bread are fine, the bananas provided are substandard. Those accountable to the government are not performing their duties properly."

He said absenteeism among doctors, poor management, and inefficiency as contributing factors to the hospital's problems.

The minister said that corrective measures will be taken soon, and this hospital should be more humane than others. Necessary steps will be taken to improve the environment and service quality.

State Minister Dr MA Muhit, who accompanied Minister Sakhawat during the visit, also highlighted leadership gaps and management weaknesses, despite the institute being the country's top mental health facility.