Strict action will be taken if all illegal hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centers across the country are not closed within the time limit set by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), DGHS director (hospital and clinic) Dr. Md. Belal Hossain told the media on Saturday afternoon.

The DGHS ordered the closure of illegal hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centers within 72 hours. The deadline ends tomorrow, Sunday.

DGHS director said regular operations are being carried out to stop illegal clinics and diagnostic centers. At the end of 72 hours, we will sit and see how much progress has been made in registration, how many illegal clinics and diagnostic centers have been closed.

Later, as per that, the DGHS will take the next step by sitting with the concerned people including the divisional health director and civil surgeon, Dr. Md. Belal Hossain also said.

Asked how many illegal clinics have been closed so far, the DGHS director said they have been given time till Sunday. “We will provide that information after the due date,” he informed.

Director Dr. Belal Hossain said the DGHS does not have information about the number of illegal clinics, and diagnostic centers in the country. Besides, the number of people who have been given clinics or diagnostic centers illegally cannot be stated. “How do we know the information of those who have not applied?” he questioned.

Asked how the operation was being carried out “without a list”, the DGHS director said although there was no specific list of illegals, the “list of legal ones was with the district civil surgeons”. So, the civil surgeons can tell about the numbers. We are conducting operations as per that. Civil surgeons have a big role to play in the campaign, he added.

Noted that as per the estimates of the DGHS, the number of approved and applied clinics and diagnostic centers in the country is about 11,000.