Brokers rule Patuakhali hospital

The upgraded 250-bed Patuakhali General Hospital looks spruced up but it is failing to serve the purpose as patients are lured out by brokers to private clinics in the town.. PHOTO: STAR

The syndicate works with alleged tacit approval of some hospital officials, who allow this for reasons now well understood.

Though the 100-bed hospital was upgraded to a 250-bed one in February, this made little difference so far as service to patients is concerned, sources said.

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"Many staff members who do not like activities of brokers have become hostage. They are mute spectators to the anomalies and corruption", said an employee seeking anonymity.

The brokers have free access to all departments, doctors' rooms and offices. They move in the guise of hospital staff. Patients and their relatives and attendants can hardly distinguish them from hospital staff. Taking this advantage, the brokers volunteer to help patients and then lure them to private clinics promising better treatment.

They are even seen consulting with doctors, providing medicine and even pushing injection to patients to earn their trust.

Their main goal however is to woo the patients to the private clinics for which the get commission.

"We always pray to Allah not to send any patient here for treatment. I have been working here for the last 20 years and I can tell you that your patients will not get proper treatment here", a broker was telling a patient's attendant during this correspondent's visit recently. The patient came for tumor operation.

The broker was heard telling the patient: Here treatment would take more than a month and you have to spend Tk 500 a day. I can arrange everything at a private clinic at the same cost, where you will get better treatment and go home within 7 to 10 days.

The broker was eventually successful in luring the patient out of the hospital. Such scenes are common at the hospital.

According to hospital sources, 5 to 10 patients leave the hospital every day without completing treatment. Sometimes, serious patients are also taken away by brokers.

"In such case, we close the file and complete our duty by writing that the patient is absconding," said a senior nurse at the hospital.

Apart from brokers, drug addicts also move freely inside the hospital. Theft is a common incident.

Six out of the 10 doctors including Civil Surgeon Dr. Nurun Nahar Begum work at different private clinics in the district town. The Civil Surgeon is also superintendent of the hospital.

Sources claimed that Civil Surgeon Dr. Nurun Nahar and Dr. Salim Matubbar of the hospital do part-time jobs at 'Himi Poly Clinic'. The clinic is owned by a doctor working at Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical Collage Hospital (BSBMCH) .

Dr. Mizanur Rahman, Resident Medical officer (RMO) of the hospital works at 'Nova Diagnostic Center in the town.

Gynaecologist Dr. Mahmudur Rahman of the hospital works at three private clinics in the town.

Orthopedic consultant Dr. Musahid Uddin works at 'Mukti Clinic.

When contacted, the hospital authorities declined to talk on this issue.