Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain found five doctors absent during a surprise visit to Muradnagar Upazila Health Complex in Cumilla on Wednesday morning and ordered departmental action against them.

The minister expressed dissatisfaction over their absence and said doctors posted to the hospital on deputation had been instructed to remain present at their workplace.

He also announced plans to upgrade the health complex into a 151-bed hospital, featuring 10 dialysis machines, a 20-bed maternity ward, a 20-bed newborn care unit, separate physiotherapy services for men and women, and a breastfeeding centre.

The tender process for the project is expected to be completed within the next 15 to 16 days, he said.

The minister also said doctors would be assigned to the Muradnagar hospital from among the 48 physicians scheduled to join their posts on November 1.

While noting improvements in the hospital's overall management compared with the past, Sakhawat expressed dissatisfaction with its waste management.

He also highlighted the government's focus on women's healthcare and said separate treatment facilities were being arranged for children.