Doctor impersonator caught at SBMCH

Wearing a stethoscope around his neck, he used to move from one ward to another just like any other doctor at Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital (SBMCH).

Though he has been doing this for a while, no one suspected him to be an impersonator, until yesterday, when his performance raised suspicion among other doctors.

Saiful Islam, 24, was caught by an on-duty doctor who challenged his identity while he was “treating” a patient around noon.

“I saw him checking blood pressure of a patient in front of the radiology department,” said Dr Mohsin Hawladar of the hospital. “When I asked about his identity, he could not provide an answer nor show any document. Out of suspicion, I handed him over to the hospital authorities.”

Saiful admitted to have studied up to Alim (higher secondary) level at a madrasa, said Dr Bakir Hossain, director of the hospital. Saiful said he hailed from Sagardi area of Barisal city, he added.

This correspondent also spoke to Saiful at the hospital. “If any patient comes to the hospital from my native village of Bisharkandi under Banaripara upazila, I try to help them by examining their pathological reports or checking blood pressure,” he said. “I also help them find doctors,” he added.

Dr Bakir said there are allegations that Saiful took money from people assuring that he would get them job at the hospital. “We will file a case against him soon,” he added.

Saiful was handed over to police by the hospital authorities, confirmed Nurul Islam, officer-in-charge of Kotwali Police Station, where he was detained.