A total of 524 illegal clinics and hospitals across the country have been closed by the mobile courts for various irregularities including running these institutions without a license in the last two days (Monday and Tuesday).
The mobile courts conducted all over the country also fined Tk 9 lakh 15 thousand in these clinics and hospitals. Some clinics and hospitals have also been sealed off due to operating activities in an unhealthy environment and not fulfilling other criteria.
In Dhaka, on Tuesday, 15 clinics and hospitals in the capital were raided and closed by the authority.
These are -- Bangladesh Eye Trust Hospital in Rayer Bazar, Alo Diagnostic Center in Kamrangirchar, Noor Diagnostic Center, Inan Diagnostic Center, Dhaka Diagnostic and Consultation Center, Simantic Clinic in Khilgaon and Mukti Nursing Home along with eight other illegal hospitals and clinics.
In Joypurhat, the administration launched a drive against illegal clinics and diagnostic centers in the district on Tuesday. Four institutions were fined Tk 20 thousand and one institution was sealed-off by the mobile court.
Pratik Kumar Kundu, assistant commissioner and the executive magistrate said, “Anarkali Lab and Consultation Center in the town was fined Tk 5,000 and sealed off it has no permission and having fish in the fridge of the lab.”
Padma Clinic’s operation theatre (OT) was sealed-off and fined Tk 5,000. Sadman Clinic was also fined Tk 5, 000, he added.
In Chattogram: A hospital in the port city was closed due to an unhealthy environment at the operation theatre and non-renewal of license. Apart from this, 11 hospital-diagnostic centers in 15 upazilas of the district have also been closed.
Chattogram Civil Surgeon Dr Md Elias Chowdhury said, “The raid was conducted in 53 healthcare centers. Among these, 12 hospital-diagnostic centers were closed due to various irregularities and mismanagement. The list of these institutions has been sent to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).”
In Barishal, the administration fined Tk 20 thousand to four diagnostic centers in the city for various irregularities.
Executive Magistrate Abu Riyad has conducted the operation at Sher-e Bangla Medical College and Hospital area with the help of DGHS.
In Rajshahi, the district civil surgeon's office has launched a drive against illegal clinics and diagnostic centers in the city. At least five clinic owners and employees fled their workplaces sensing the presence of the mobile court.
Eyewitnesses said Rajshahi Civil Surgeon Dr Abu Sayeed Mohammad Faruk conducted the drive on illegal clinics and hospitals at 11 am on Tuesday. He fined some clinics during the drive.
Hearing the news, some illegal clinic owners closed their institutions and ran away.
In Brahmanbaria, sadar upazila health officer Mohammad Shakhawat Hossain conducted a raid at Liberty Hospital and Diagnostic Center and Alif General Hospital and Diagnostic Center.
Later these two hospitals were sealed off.
Executive Magistrate Raj Kumar Biswas was present at the time.
In Chuadanga, two diagnostic centers in the district were sealed off and fined for having no permission and running these in an unhygienic environment.
In Narayanganj, three hospitals were sealed off due to a lack of valid documents in Rupganj.
Ivy Ferdous, health and family planning officer said Eden Healthcare Diagnostic Center and Hospital, New Modern Diagnostic Center and Hospital and Beldi Diagnostic Center were sealed off as these have no valid documents.
@ This report appeared on the print and online version of Bangladesh Pratidin on Wednesday (August 31) and has been rewritten in English by Tanvir Raihan and Golam Rosul
