The health minister has ordered the revocation of the medical licence of a government doctor after finding him practicing privately during office hours at Popular Diagnostic Centre in Old Dhaka.

Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain announced the decision after conducting a surprise inspection at the centre on English Road on Thursday, bdnews24.com reports. 

The doctor, junior consultant Moinul Hasan Chishti, was posted at Belabo Upazila Health Complex in Narsingdi.

The minister said the head of the Upazila Health Complex had issued multiple show-cause notices to the doctor, but he continued to work regularly at the private facility during official hours.

He also alleged that the doctor had used a fake resignation letter from the government hospital to secure the private job.

The minister said Popular Diagnostic Centre had allowed him to practice without verifying whether his resignation had been accepted and warned that the facility would also face punishment.

Calling the doctor's actions “unethical”, he said the private healthcare provider had facilitated the misconduct.

Sakhawat said the doctor's licence would be cancelled and he would be dismissed from government service.

He also instructed the executive magistrate present during the raid to take legal action against both the doctor and Popular Diagnostic Centre under the law.