Health Minister Samanta Lal Sen directed closure of all unregistered hospitals, diagnostic centres, and clinics in the country.

"Unregistered medical facilities will not be spared ... stern actions will be taken against people who run medical facilities without license," he made the comments when Bangladesh Health Reporter's Forum met him at his ministry here.

Samanta Lal said the government will show zero tolerance against corruption simultaneously, "We will take tough measures against unauthorized hospitals, diagnostic centres, and clinics."

He said, "I myself have been a victim of an unlicensed hospital. Therefore, I will not tolerate such negligence."

About the new variant of COVID-19, he said, "We will be cautious against new variant of coronavirus ... he suggested for maintaining health rules to prevent the deadly virus."

The government plans to administer the fourth dose of the Covid-19 vaccine to 1.25 crore people this year and another 1.25 crore people will be vaccinated in 2025, the health minister said.

About Ayaan's death, Samanta Lal said, "The incident of Ayaan's death is deeply tragic. We are awaiting the investigating committee's report. If any negligence is found in the probe report, we will take stern action against those responsible for Ayaan's death".