The Sylhet district administration has launched a crackdown on hospitals and clinics operating without valid licenses, warning that no unauthorized healthcare facility will be allowed to continue its operations.
Among the institutions under scrutiny is Safeway Hospital, located in the busy Mirzajangal area of Sylhet city. The hospital has allegedly been operating without renewing its license for nearly a decade. During this period, it has faced multiple allegations of medical negligence resulting in patient deaths. Although authorities have sealed the hospital on several occasions, it has continued operating.
Officials say many other hospitals and clinics in Sylhet are also providing medical services without valid licenses. Some never obtained licenses, while others failed to renew them after their initial approval. Civil Surgeon Dr. Md. Nasir Uddin warned that strict action would now be taken against all unauthorized healthcare facilities.
According to the Civil Surgeon's Office, at least 35 hospitals and clinics across Sylhet district and the city are currently operating illegally. Most of them initially obtained licenses but later failed to renew them despite repeated notices from the Health Department. Authorities allege that these facilities continue commercial healthcare operations while violating licensing regulations, exposing patients to medical negligence and fraud.
Officials also acknowledge that the actual number of unauthorized facilities is likely much higher, as many establishments have never registered with the authorities and therefore remain outside official records.
Earlier this month, the Sylhet Divisional Health Office decided to take legal action against illegal healthcare institutions. On July 7, Divisional Health Director Dr. Mahbubul Alam sent a letter to the Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate requesting action against 14 healthcare facilities operating without valid license renewals. The letter stated that operating medical facilities without renewing licenses violates the Bangladesh Medical Practice and Private Clinics and Laboratories (Regulation) Ordinance, 1982.
The list includes Central Hospital, Fair Health Hospital, Lions Children's Hospital, Modern General Hospital, Arogya Poly Clinic, Al Amin General Hospital, Safeway Hospital, Niramoy Poly Clinic, Delta Specialized Hospital, Metro Medicare Clinic, Care Hospital, Surma Valley Hospital, Sylhet Phaco Center, and Sylhet Model Eye Hospital and Phaco Center.
Among them, Sylhet Phaco Center and Sylhet Model Eye Hospital and Phaco Center are accused of operating without any license, while the remaining facilities reportedly failed to renew their existing licenses.
The Civil Surgeon's Office also identified several illegal healthcare centers outside the city, including Bandhab Health Service Center in Saheber Bazar, Surjer Hashi Clinics in Tukerbazar, South Surma, and Osmaninagar, Charkhai Maternity Clinic and Consultation Center, and Ma O Shishu General Hospital in Beanibazar.
Safeway Hospital has reportedly remained unlicensed since the 2018–19 licensing period. On July 20, authorities fined and sealed the hospital once again. In recent enforcement drives, Central Hospital, Surma Valley Hospital, and Al Baraka Eye Hospital were also fined for failing to renew their licenses and were given 15 days to complete the renewal process.
Civil Surgeon Dr. Md. Nasir Uddin said many healthcare providers ignored repeated notices to renew their licenses. As a result, institutions that were once legally registered are now considered illegal. He added that enforcement operations have already begun, with priority being given to facilities whose licenses expired during the 2019–2020 period.
