Staff Reporter:

Mushroom growth of unauthorized clinic, pathologies and diagnostic centres has now become cause of concern to the Sirajganj dwellers. Of them, some 12 pathologies established with different attractive names and identities next to Shaheed M Mansur Ali Medical College and Hospital in the town are allegedly involved in swindling with the patients and their relatives through several recruited agents and brokers.

There is allegation that, the civil surgeon himself and some unscrupulous officials of health services are directly and indirectly involved with the providing supports to such illegal pathology or diagnostic centres. In exchange, they are amassing big sum of money day after day, some victims’ complained.

Sources said, helpless patients from different parts of the upazila who come to take government services in Sirajganj district town are being cheated. Some doctors and employees on duty at government hospitals are involved in these institutions. In this, the protectors of the health sector have become the eaters, the complainant claimed.

Patient Halim Mia, who came to take health services, complained that, services are not available at the government hospitals. Physicians instigate the patients to get admitted in different private hospitals and suggest carrying tests in private pathologies to get good reports. Thus, they push the patients away from the government hospitals.

There are allegations that, there is a big business in setting up private pathology-hospitals next to the government hospitals. Every year, the civil surgeon is giving opportunities to renew the licenses of some non-eligible hospitals, clinics and pathological centres in exchange of money.

Despite allegations of irregularities in various hospitals, the authorities have been turned blind eyes in context of conducting mobile court or any other drive for long, the victims’ said.

If someone wants to set up such pathology centre, he has to submit application to the Health Department. Later, approval is given based on the inspection report of the respective Upazila Health Officer and Civil Surgeon.

Several hospitals including Medipath Diagnostic and Consultation Center, Health Aid Unit-2, The New Life, J.K Diagnostic and Consultation Center, Avicenna Hospital-2, Sirajganj Lab Aid Diagnostic Clinic, Lab Aid Diagnostic Clinic, Green Lab and Hormone Center, Mannan Memorial Diagnostic and Consultation Center, Sakhawat Memorial Hospital, Diabetic Foot Care and PRP Center Diagnostic and Hospital have been established next to Shaheed M. Mansur Ali Medical College Hospital. It is known that, these private labs and hospitals have grown like mushroom in front of and around the government hospital named Shaheed M Monsur Ali Medical College and Hospital. Some paid brokers are employed in these institutions, whose job is to divide the patients of government hospitals and take them to pathologies or diagnostic centres.

Local teacher Md. Shahidullah Bulbul said that, a category of doctors, nurses, ward boys and Aya of the government hospitals are also getting commission by cooperating in sharing patients. According to government laws, no private hospital can be located within one kilometer and in some cases half a kilometer of government hospitals. But this law is not being followed, there is rampant business. Most of these private hospitals are owned by doctors and local influential people. For unknown reasons, the concerned officials including the Civil Surgeon’s Office are silent.

Shaheed M. Mansur Ali Medical College and Hospital Director Dr. ATM Nuruzzaman said, the kind of equipment we have installed here is not available anywhere in North Bengal. The most modern modular lab, ultrasonography, digital X-ray, CT scan, MRI, laparoscopy machine, ICU, CCU and cath lab have been installed here, which is a matter of pride for the people of Sirajganj that they are getting the most modern services. Laparoscopy operation has been started in our hospital. Besides, the gynecology ward, lab, dental ward, X-ray and ECG have been started here.

Meanwhile, local resident Md. Mamun said, so many private clinics and diagnostic centers have been established around the hospital, they have now hired brokers to bring patients to them.

Rananju Mia, relative of a victim patient said that, patients who come to the hospital for treatment are forced to go to the clinic after falling into the clutches of a broker’s circle.

Former president of the district’s private clinic owners’ association, Dr. Md. Masum, said that, the clinics and pathologies that have been built around the hospital like mushroom are not our members. We are not aware of how they have built these institutions. But, the authorities should take action against these, he added.

Sirajganj Civil Surgeon Nurul Amin said that, due to the lack of specific laws, action cannot be taken against private hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centers built next to the medical colleges. It is not only Sirajganj, hospitals have been built next to government hospitals all over the country. So, I have nothing to do!