Dhaka, Oct. 6 -- Habiganj Modern Sadar Hospital stayed tidy for a few days after Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain Bakul's surprise visit, but it has slipped back into old habits.

Patients and their relatives say the filth is so bad that people must hold their noses in places, accusing the staff of negligent care.

Hospital Superintendent Aminul Hoque Sarker points to a shortage of doctors and staff as the cause.

Patients say that despite paying Tk 10 for an emergency ticket or Tk 5 for the outpatient department, they cannot get adequate treatment, and they must buy key medicines from outside.

Apart from blood tests, ultrasonography, X-rays and electrocardiograms (ECGs), other tests have to be done elsewhere, they say. Patients...