After assuming office as Health Minister, Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain said that doctors would henceforth have to “run after patients.” His remark attracted considerable attention at the time. However, several months into his tenure, questions remain over whether any significant changes have taken place in the health sector. When asked about the progress of his initiative toward the end of last month, the minister reportedly dismissed the matter as “an old issue,” according to sources familiar with the matter.
An investigation has raised allegations concerning the activities of a new influential network operating around the Ministry of Health and its affiliated institutions. According to sources, the alleged syndicate has been formed around Joint Secretary Mustafizur Rahman, who is reportedly the minister’s nephew-in-law, and Mohammad Shafiur Rahman, director of the Central Medical Stores Depot (CMSD), who has been described by sources as a nephew of the Cabinet Secretary. The alleged influence of the network is reportedly hindering efforts to introduce reforms and strengthen accountability in the health sector. These allegations, however, require independent verification.
Questions have also been raised over the continued presence of officials accused of corruption and political involvement during the previous government. Sources claim that many officials who held important positions during the previous administration remain in key posts within the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and other health-sector institutions.
The recent transfer and posting of a senior physician has also sparked controversy. According to the allegations, Professor Dr. Md. Morshed Alam was transferred from the National Institute of Kidney Diseases and Urology to Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College in Bogura on June 22, 2026. The transfer order was subsequently cancelled, and he was posted to the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases and Hospital on July 30.
Sources have alleged that Dr. Morshed Alam had political affiliations and faced allegations of corruption during the previous government. However, no credible public evidence has been established to substantiate allegations that financial transactions were involved in the cancellation of his transfer or his subsequent posting.
Allegations of Dominance by Former Regime-Linked Contractors
Allegations have also emerged over the growing influence of contractor networks in the procurement of Medical and Surgical Requisites (MSR) for government hospitals across the country. The names of several contractors, including Moniruzzaman Dhali and Emdad Hossain, have surfaced in connection with these allegations.
According to sources, some contractors who allegedly benefited during the previous Awami League government are now using multiple companies, either directly or through associates, to influence government procurement processes.
Sources have identified eight companies allegedly owned by or associated with Moniruzzaman Dhali: Dhali Supply Limited, Dhali Corporation, Afasi Pharma, Fortune Medical Systems Limited, World Surgical, Anisa Corporation, Smart Medical Requisite and Pharma, and Eagon International Limited.
It has been alleged that multiple companies linked to the same network are used to manipulate competition in tender processes. In some cases, alleged collusion with hospital authorities has also been reported, potentially allowing the network to exercise undue influence over the tender process and limiting opportunities for other bidders.
Allegations have also been raised concerning the procurement of MSR items at Rajbari Sadar Hospital for the 2025–26 fiscal year. According to the complainants, five companies allegedly linked to the Dhali network participated in the tender and consecutively emerged as the lowest bidders.
They further allege that the tender schedule contained certain unusual items that were not ordinarily purchased and that information regarding those items had allegedly been provided in advance to a particular group. If substantiated, such practices could warrant investigation under the applicable public procurement regulations.
It has also been claimed that a company owned by Moniruzzaman Dhali had previously been blacklisted for two years over allegations of irregularities. Despite this, questions have been raised over the alleged involvement of Dhali-linked companies in MSR procurement at Sadar hospitals in Joypurhat, Bhola, Rajbari and Jamalpur after August 5, 2024.
Meanwhile, three companies have been identified as being associated with contractor Emdad Hossain: Messrs Tahsin Enterprise, The Professional Business Builders and AHS Prestige Trade. Allegations have been made that these companies participated in MSR procurement at Netrokona District Hospital during the 2025–26 fiscal year and also exerted influence over procurement processes at hospitals in Magura, Patuakhali, Meherpur and Narail.
Further allegations have been raised regarding the ownership of Tahsin Enterprise. Sources claim that Mahabbat Ali, who was allegedly influential in the Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area during the previous Awami League government and is currently believed to be in India, is the principal owner of the company, while Emdad Hossain allegedly manages its contracting activities in Bangladesh. These claims also require independent verification.
According to sources, the contractors allegedly maintain links with the purported ministry-based syndicate and use administrative influence to exert pressure on hospital authorities during procurement processes.
Health-sector stakeholders say that genuine reform and transparency require an independent investigation into these allegations, a thorough review of tender documents and procurement records, scrutiny of relevant financial transactions, and strict compliance with public procurement regulations. Such measures, they argue, are essential to restore accountability and ensure fair competition in government health-sector procurement.