Private medical facilities: Licence validity extended for 2yrs, but hurdles remain

The health authorities have extended the validity of licences for private medical facilities from one year to two years, aiming to simplify the renewal process and reduce hassle for hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centres.

The health ministry decided in December last year to extend the licence validity period, and the Directorate General of Health Services informed associations of private healthcare facilities of the decision on Sunday. The decision will take effect from July this year.

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However, owners of private medical facilities say the move will bring little benefit unless other government agencies also extend the validity of their mandatory clearances to two years.

They also suggested that the government establish an umbrella mechanism under the DGHS to coordinate the licensing process involving all relevant agencies.

The extension comes at a time when thousands of private facilities continue to operate without renewing their licences due to lax monitoring by the authorities, raising concerns over patient safety and the quality of treatment.

Annual licence renewal is intended to ensure that medical facilities meet standards related to safety, staffing, hygiene and other requirements.

Only 5,163 healthcare facilities, among the 19,382, renewed their licences till mid-July this year, according to DGHS data. In 2025, a total of 7,287 facilities renewed their licences.

Associations of private medical facilities have long been demanding an extension of the licence tenure, arguing that the renewal process is lengthy due to the involvement of several authorities.

Against this backdrop, the interim health administration decided in December last year to extend the licence validity period, but the decision was not implemented as other relevant agencies continued to issue their licences and clearances for one year.

DGHS Director (hospital) Nurul Islam said the decision was now being implemented following instructions from the health ministry.

He said delays in obtaining clearances from different agencies often result in facilities failing to renew their licences on time and subsequently operating without valid licences.

Replying to a question, he said they had informed the other agencies concerned about the extension of the licence tenure, and if they could issue their certificates for two years, they could do so.

AM Shamim, general secretary of Bangladesh Private Hospitals, Clinics, and Diagnostic Centres Owners Association, said the facilities require around 18 separate licences and clearances from different government agencies, including Department of Environment and Department of Narcotics Control.

“Sometimes it takes two months just for an inspection or to keep a letter on file, while getting the results can take several more months. By the time one application is processed, another year has passed,” he said.

He said such delays also leave many facilities operating while waiting for licence renewals or after licences have expired, creating a negative perception about the private healthcare sector.

“All the licences should ideally have a two-year validity period. At the same time, every relevant agency needs to increase its manpower for inspections and audits,” he told The Daily Star today.

Shamim, also founder and managing director of Labaid Group, proposed an umbrella mechanism for the licensing process involving all relevant agencies.

Under the proposed system, mid-level officials from the departments concerned could work together under one platform and coordinate inspections, approvals and renewals.

Prof Moazzem Hossain, general secretary of the Bangladesh Private Medical College Owners Association, said the government’s decision would benefit private facilities only if other agencies also extend the validity of their licences.

He said they would sit with the relevant agencies and urge them to extend the licence validity period as well.