Anomalies, corruption rule Nalitabari health complex

It said the pregnant women have to pay money for treatment while giving birth at the health complex. And general patients become victims of neglect by the doctors as they remain busy with their private practice.

The TIB released the research report at the Nalitabari Nagorik Committee office before the journalists, public representatives, and district and upazila health authorities yesterday, said a press release.

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The report said the doctors care little for the patients unless they pay money. They examine only the well-off patients, ignoring the poor patients.

The staffs of the hospital take money to test urine though it was supposed to be free of cost, it said. The outdoors of the complex is dirty and full of bad smell.

Patients are also forced to pay for minor operation while there is no operation theatre for major surgery.

Even it is not difficult to get a fake medical certificate by paying money. It is also alleged that the unscrupulous officials and staffs sell the hospital's medicines. Besides, the supply of medicine to the health complex is not adequate.

The report said there are many brokers in and around the health complex and they persuade the patients to go to the private clinics. A large number of medical representatives also visit the complex regularly.

The research was conducted at the end of last year in the form of group discussion and the researchers posing as patients also collected information.

M A Hakim Hira, president of the Nagorik Committee, presided over the report publication ceremony.

AZM Zohurul Islam, civil surgeon of Sherpur, Nazmul Hassan Khan, upazila nirbahi officer, Habibullah Siddique, health officer, Ekram Hossain, programme officer of TIB, and officials of non-government organisations were present.