In efforts to control population growth, the government is planning to offer various facilities to parents who have only one child, Health Minister AFM Ruhul Haque told the parliament yesterday.

“The government gives reception to parents for having one child to encourage people to have one child. Discussions are on in government's different level to offer different facilities to those having one child,” the health minister said in a scripted answer.

In reply to another query, Ruhul Haque however said the government is planning to set a condition of 'two-child policy' on getting jobs in family planning department.

He said the government will take measures to prevent private medical practitioners from taking excess fees from patients.

“Doctors working in the government hospitals can not visit their private patients during office hour. Stern action will be taken if any doctor violates this provision,” the health minister warned.

In response to another query, he said the government has moved to update the policy for setting up private hospitals.

He said providing ambulances to all hospitals across the country are under process. The health ministry and home ministry will jointly take necessary steps to amend the post mortem law, which was enacted during the British regime, he added.

In absence of the health minister, State Minister for Heath Mujibur Rahman Fakir replied supplementary queries of lawmakers in the House.