Dhaka Medical College Hospital, the country’s largest public healthcare facility, came under direct scrutiny as Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain conducted a surprise inspection on Wednesday morning at around 9:00 am, reviewing multiple wards in the old building, the emergency department’s operation theatres, and the burn unit to assess service quality and operational efficiency. Speaking to journalists after the visit, the minister stated that the hospital continues to struggle with inadequate facilities compared to the overwhelming number of patients it serves daily, highlighting shortages of doctors, nurses, and support staff as major concerns affecting service delivery. While acknowledging that previous complaints about cockroach infestations in patient beds have decreased, he emphasized that overall cleanliness and maintenance standards still require significant improvement. The minister also noted that several patients reported not receiving essential medicines, indicating supply chain and management gaps that must be urgently addressed. During his inspection of the operation theatres, he observed that except for one, the remaining theatres lack full modernization and that there is a noticeable shortage of anesthesiologists, a situation that could hamper emergency surgical procedures. Expressing dissatisfaction over the poor-quality washing of bedsheets and hospital linens, he instructed authorities to deduct payments where service standards are not maintained. He reiterated that despite limited resources, the government is committed to delivering healthcare services to citizens’ doorsteps and is working on a comprehensive nationwide plan to upgrade hospitals and strengthen healthcare infrastructure. The minister firmly declared that no middlemen or brokers would be allowed to exploit patients within hospital premises and that illegal practices such as charging unauthorized trolley fees would not be tolerated. Although he did not encounter any brokers during his visit, he warned that strict action would be taken if evidence of such activities emerges. In a meeting with the hospital director, he urged immediate corrective measures to address the identified shortcomings, calling for coordinated initiatives to fill manpower gaps, modernize equipment, improve infrastructure, and enhance overall service standards. He stressed that a government hospital represents the last hope for many underprivileged citizens and therefore cannot afford negligence or mismanagement. Concluding his inspection, the minister expressed optimism that increased administrative oversight and accountability would lead to visible improvements in a short time. He also hinted at conducting similar surprise inspections at other major public hospitals across the country to directly evaluate service conditions and enforce necessary reforms. Reaffirming the government’s commitment to systemic healthcare reform, greater transparency, and patient-friendly services, he stated that ensuring quality care in publicly funded hospitals remains a top national priority.