There are 31 clinics in the district, 21 of them unregistered and 10 registered. All of them have brokers at Magura Sadar Hospital and upazila health complexes to lure patients assuring them of 'better treatment'.

Some doctors at government hospitals also get 'commission' for sending patients to such clinics, it is widely alleged.

The brokers run after patients from well-to-do families. Poor patients who can not get admission to the government hospitals and health complexes seldom draw their attention.

The brokers enjoy free access to the hospital and health complexes.

A section of nurses and other staff at the government hospitals also work as brokers, many of the patients and their attendants alleged while talking to this correspondent recently.

At government hospitals, patients are often advised by a section of doctors to go to certain clinics for 'better treatment'. The patients are left with no choice but to follow the 'advice', thereby unknowingly falling prey to the greed of unscrupulous people.

During this correspondent's visit to Magura Sadar Hospital and three other upazila health complexes, some brokers admitted that they are paid to lure patients to private clinics.

"As doctors are also involved in the process, I do not consider it unethical", said a broker asking not to be named.

Another broker, Saifullah, said he gets Tk 200 to 250 from the clinic owner for luring one patient. "It is the only means to maintain my family", Saifullah admitted.

A government doctor gets 'commission' ranging from 30 to 35 per cent of the money the patient spends at the private clinic. The other staff get between 10 to 15 percent for sending a patient, sources said.

"I was refused admission at the Sadar Hospital on Sunday. A doctor informed me that I would have to wait at least six days to get admission. When I come out of the doctor's room, a staff came to tell me that I could be treated at a private clinic", said Shafiqul Islam, a businessman, now under treatment at a clinic at Sayed Ator Ali road in Magura town.

Shafiqul is suffering from breathing problem and slow heart beat.

"When I showed interest, the staff took me to a man standing near the emergency ward. He gave me the address of the clinic. But the quality of the treatment is extremely poor here".

When asked, Resident Medical Officer (RMO) Md. Moslemuddin at the Sadar Hospital however expressed his ignorance about doctors' getting commission. He said, "Adequate measures have been taken to prevent brokers from entering the hospital", he said.

During this correspondent's visit to one such private clinic in the town, some of the patients complained that they spent a lot of money for so many diagnostic tests which were seemingly unnecessary. But they did not get proper treatment.

They even alleged that the clinic had no registered doctors and trained nurses. It is not even properly equipped with instruments.

"These clinics follow no rule. They see patients as a source of money only ", a leading doctor at Magura Sadar Hospital said.

There are numerous allegations of malpractice, wrong treatment, wrong diagnosis and post-operative infection due to unhygienic condition. Death or permanent disability from alleged wrong treatment is not few and far between, which at times leads to clashes and ransacking of clinics. But the authorities are unmoved.

Common allegations are poor state of operation theatres (OTs) and post-operative rooms.

But the most frightening thing is that the number of such unregistered and below standard clinics is increasing in the absence of inspection by the authorities concerned, sources said.

This is the best business one can think of, said a clinic owner, referring to the virtually unregulated trade. The few registered clinics are getting frustrated because unregistered ones dominate the business through adopting unfair means. Yet there is no action, he said.

When contacted, Magura Civil Surgeon (CS) Farid Uddin Ahmed admitted existence of unregistered clinics and their unethical business.

He said, "A committee headed by me and comprising Additional Deputy Commissioner, Additional Superintendent of Police and Municipality Chairman after inspection has already listed the unregistered clinics and ordered them to stop their illegal business within 15 days."

"Otherwise, action would be taken against them", he said.