Barisal clinics and diagnostic centres �run without licences�

Most of the private clinics and diagnostic centres of Barisal city allegedly neither have licences nor the required facilities. There has allegedly been no watch on these institutions in the last four years. In recent times, four patients have died and many are suffering on account of poor amenities, despite paying through the nose. Dr Md Mizanur Rahman, deputy director of the divisional health department, admitted that rules require at least three full-time doctors and as many nurses as well as six sweepers in clinics with more than 10 beds, but these are often flouted. Besides, these have to be approved by the Atomic Treatment Centre and the Environment Directorate, which is never done either, acknowledged the officials of those two institutions. Most of the diagnostic centres allegedly do not follow even minimum safety standards. District civil surgeon Dr AFM Shafiuddin, however, claimed that the health directorate and the civil surgeon’s office would launch drives against illegal clinics and diagnostic centres very soon.
A visit to the 20-bed Seba Clinic on Band Road Sunday morning revealed that the 33 surgery patients who are currently admitted here came on the ‘advice’ of touts. Dust-caked surgery equipment was found lying in the open. Md Badsha Hosen, a trainee doctor at Barisal Sher E Bangla Medical Collage Hospital, was working here as a regular doctor. Harihar Mrridha, 65, of Kalkinu upazila in Madaripur district, who was admitted to the clinic eight days back with a spinal injury, said he has already coughed up Tk. 30,000 for his treatment, but there has been no end to his suffering. Md Shipon Mian of Mehendiganj upazila of Barisal district made the same complaint. He is suffering from abdominal pain and said he has already paid the clinic Tk. 10,000.
Clinic manager Md Abu Zafar claimed that all kinds of surgeries, apart from those on the heart and the brain, have been performed at the clinic.
Dr Harun-Or-Rashid’s clinic on Police Lines Road was even worse. It was running without a licence. Apparently it used to be the residence of doctors with three rooms and 12 beds. It came into notice in August when two patients died on account of alleged wrong treatment. The RAB then arrested Dr Harun-Or-Rashid for interrogation.
He was released after giving an undertaking that he would take utmost care while examining patients. The clinic is again running in full gear.
Locals alleged that though Dr Harun-Or-Rashid is officially posted at the Nalcity UHC, he is busy at the clinic most of the time and often accused of wrong treatment and malpractices that have even caused the death of patients.
Sources alleged that no health official has visited any of these clinics or diagnostic centres in the last four years. Dr Shafiuddin, however, denied the charge. He said he has visited several of these and found that these lack even the basic of facilities. He said he would warn them to either update their amenities or face strong action.
Official sources said only 95 of the 300-odd diagnostic centres and 20 of the 50 clinics in Barisal are authorised to conduct surgeries and the licences of some have expired. The district civil surgeon and sources in the divisional health directorate office said 103 of the 220 diagnostic centres and clinics are under the health directorate while the rest are under the district civil surgeon’s office.

 

Barisal clinics and diagnostic centres �run without licences�

Most of the private clinics and diagnostic centres of Barisal city allegedly neither have licences nor the required facilities. There has allegedly been no watch on these institutions in the last four years. In recent times, four patients have died and many are suffering on account of poor amenities, despite paying through the nose. Dr Md Mizanur Rahman, deputy director of the divisional health department, admitted that rules require at least three full-time doctors and as many nurses as well as six sweepers in clinics with more than 10 beds, but these are often flouted. Besides, these have to be approved by the Atomic Treatment Centre and the Environment Directorate, which is never done either, acknowledged the officials of those two institutions. Most of the diagnostic centres allegedly do not follow even minimum safety standards. District civil surgeon Dr AFM Shafiuddin, however, claimed that the health directorate and the civil surgeons office would launch drives against illegal clinics and diagnostic centres very soon. A visit to the 20-bed Seba Clinic on Band Road Sunday morning revealed that the 33 surgery patients who are currently admitted here came on the advice of touts. Dust-caked surgery equipment was found lying in the open. Md Badsha Hosen, a trainee doctor at Barisal Sher E Bangla Medical Collage Hospital, was working here as a regular doctor. Harihar Mrridha, 65, of Kalkinu upazila in Madaripur district, who was admitted to the clinic eight days back with a spinal injury, said he has already coughed up Tk. 30,000 for his treatment, but there has been no end to his suffering. Md Shipon Mian of Mehendiganj upazila of Barisal district made the same complaint. He is suffering from abdominal pain and said he has already paid the clinic Tk. 10,000. Clinic manager Md Abu Zafar claimed that all kinds of surgeries, apart from those on the heart and the brain, have been performed at the clinic. Dr Harun-Or-Rashids clinic on Police Lines Road was even worse. It was running without a licence. Apparently it used to be the residence of doctors with three rooms and 12 beds. It came into notice in August when two patients died on account of alleged wrong treatment. The RAB then arrested Dr Harun-Or-Rashid for interrogation. He was released after giving an undertaking that he would take utmost care while examining patients. The clinic is again running in full gear. Locals alleged that though Dr Harun-Or-Rashid is officially posted at the Nalcity UHC, he is busy at the clinic most of the time and often accused of wrong treatment and malpractices that have even caused the death of patients. Sources alleged that no health official has visited any of these clinics or diagnostic centres in the last four years. Dr Shafiuddin, however, denied the charge. He said he has visited several of these and found that these lack even the basic of facilities. He said he would warn them to either update their amenities or face strong action. Official sources said only 95 of the 300-odd diagnostic centres and 20 of the 50 clinics in Barisal are authorised to conduct surgeries and the licences of some have expired. The district civil surgeon and sources in the divisional health directorate office said 103 of the 220 diagnostic centres and clinics are under the health directorate while the rest are under the district civil surgeons office.