The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) (Bengali: স্বাস্থ্য অধিদপ্তর) is a Bangladeshi government directorate under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare responsible for health services in Bangladesh.[1][2][3]
স্বাস্থ্য অধিদপ্তর | |
 Crest of Directorate General of Health Services | |
| Abbreviation | DGHS |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1958 (upgraded in 1980) |
| Type | Government Agency |
| Headquarters | Swasthya Bhaban |
| Location |
|
Region served | Bangladesh |
Director General | Md Abu Jafor |
Parent organization | Ministry of Health and Family Welfare |
| Website | www |
History
editThe DGHS was established as a directorate in 1978. It was upgraded to a directorate general in 1980.[4]
On 23 January 2019, the Anti-Corruption Commission began investing 23 officers at the Directorate General of Health Services for corruption and recommended their transfers.[5]
Director General of Directorate General of Health Services Abul Kalam Azad resigned on 22 July 2020 after Regent Hospital was raided for providing fake COVID-19-free certificates.[6] The hospital was shut down by the Directorate General of Health Services on 8 July after a raid by the Rapid Action Battalion.[7] The Directorate General of Health Services and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare traded blame over the Regent Hospital scandal. The Directorate General of Health Services signed a memorandum of understanding with Regent Hospital in March 2020, and the signing ceremony was attended by Minister of Health and Family Welfare Zahid Maleque.[8] Another organization issuing fake COVID-19 certificates was JKG Healthcare. Officials at The Directorate General of Health Services requested JKG Healthcare to submit a proposal to collect COVID-19 samples for a scheme to siphon off from the 5 billion emergency COVID-19 fund.[9] CEO of JKG Healthcare, Ariful Chaudhury and his wife and chairperson of JKG, Sabrina Arif Chaudhury, were arrested by police for issuing fake COVID-19 certificates.[10][11]
Abul Bashar Mohammed Khurshid Alam is appointed as director general on 23 July 2020.[12] Alam criticised media coverage on the healthcare system and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.[13] The Anti-Corruption Commission arrested Abzal Hossain, who worked for the Institute of Health Technology of the Directorate General of Health Services.[14] The Commission found 2.84 billion taka in his and his wife's accounts.[14] Khurshid Alam tested positive for COVID-19 in March 2021.[15]
Directorate General of Health Services claimed in December 2020 that Bangladesh will receive 68 million vaccines for the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh from GAVI under COVAX and an additional 30 million from Serum Institute of India.[16]
Controversies
editMalek started working as a driver in the Directorate General of Health Services in 1982.[14] He came to prominence after Syed Modasser Ali became director general of the Directorate General of Health Services as his close aid.[14] In 2009, he worked as the personal driver of the director general of the Directorate General of Health Services, Shah Monir Hossain.[14] He lobbied for 100 assistant director posts in Upazilas of Bangladesh.[14] He made a few billion taka and provided a percentage to Shah Monir Hossain.[14] Hossain was replaced by Khondokar Md Shefayetullah as director general of the Directorate General of Health Services.[14] Shafeyetullah created a canteen for third- and fourth-class employees of the directorate, which Malek turned into his personal office.[14] Malek then worked as the personal driver of AHM Enayet Hossain, additional director general of the Directorate General of Health Services.[14] Enayet was made director general of the Directorate General of Medical Education, and Malek was transferred; he still continued to work for Enayet.[14][17][18]
Malek maintained close relations with President of Bangladesh Medical Association Mustafa Jalal Mohiuddin.[14] Malek was detained in September 2020 by Rapid Action Battalion.[14] He was suspended by the Directorate General of Health Services following his arrest.[19][20] Their investigation revealed that he had accumulated around 10 billion taka.[14] Malek was known as the shadow director general of the Directorate General of Health Services.[21][22] He also used to maintain a good relationship with Swadhinata Chikitshak Parishad.[21][23] Directorate General of Medical Education and AHM Enayet Hossain denied any involvement with Malek in an official statement.[24] In February 2021, the Anti-Corruption Commission sued Malek for hiding information on his wealth, and another case was filed against him and his wife for possessing wealth beyond their known source of income.[25][26] In March 2021, Malek was charged with possessing illegal weapons and ammunition by a tribunal in Dhaka.[27]
Organogram
editThe office is led by the director general (DG). He is assisted by two additional director generals (ADG), directors, line directors, deputy directors, other officers & supporting staff.[4]
References
edit- ^ "Home". dghs.gov.bd. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
- ^ "Health sector demonstrates the incredible power of the "system"". The Daily Star. 11 March 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
- ^ "Dengue takes alarming turn". The Daily Star. 25 June 2019. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
- ^ a b "Who we are: Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS)". dghs.gov.bd. Archived from the original on 14 September 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
- ^ "ACC finds graft allegations against 23 health service staff". The Daily Star. 23 January 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ "DGHS chief Azad quits amid scams". The Daily Star. 22 July 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ "DGHS orders shutdown of pvt hospital". The Daily Star. 8 July 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ "Deal with Regent Hospital: DGHS, ministry take refuge in blame game". The Daily Star. 13 July 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ "Ministry high officials played it for JKG". The Daily Star. 19 July 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ "JKG's Sabrina denied bail over fake Covid-19 test reports". Dhaka Tribune. 8 March 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ "Fake Covid-19 certificates: JKG healthcare chairman Dr Sabrina seeks HC bail". The Daily Star. 28 December 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ "DMC Professor Khurshid Alam made new DG of DGHS". The Daily Star. 23 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
- ^ "Covid-19: Health DG slams 'some media' for 'breaking morale' of health workers". The Daily Star. 14 April 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "DGs run by a driver!". The Daily Star. 28 September 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ "DGHS' DG, MIS director infected with Covid-19". The Daily Star. 20 March 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ "Covid-19 Vaccine: The poor may face disparity". The Daily Star. 10 December 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ Amin, Shiekh Sabiha Alam & Al. "More names start coming to the fore". Prothom Alo. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ "Sin City Notes: Driver Malek: Thou shall not steal...too much!". Dhaka Courier. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ "DGHS driver Malek suspended". Risingbd.com. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ "DGHS driver Malek suspended; ACC seeks his wealth statement". banglanews24.com (in Bengali). 21 September 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ a b "Who are behind the rise of DGHS driver Malek?". Dhaka Tribune. 22 September 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ "A criminal bucket list: having fools as bosses". The Daily Star (Opinion). 24 September 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ "A driver by profession, Malek lived the life of a millionaire". The Business Standard. 21 September 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ "Driver Malek personally responsible: DGME". New Age. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ "ACC files 2 cases against DGHS driver Abdul Malek, his wife". The Daily Star. 15 February 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ "DGHS driver Malek, his wife sued for graft". Daily Sun. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ "Arms Case: Charges framed against DGHS driver Malek". The Daily Star. 12 March 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.