24 ‘brokers’ at DMCH jailed by mobile court
A mobile court assisted by Rab yesterday jailed 24 "brokers" for harassing and deceiving patients at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
The convicts -- including staffers of private hospitals, diagnostic centres and people carrying patients on trolleys and ambulances -- were sentenced to highest one month in prison.
"People from across the country come to this important hospital for treatment. But these brokers prevent them from receiving healthcare services and take them to different private and unauthorised hospitals, promising them of good service," said Palash Kumar Bosu, executive magistrate who led the drive.
Many patients are deceived by them as they do not get quality service after going to those hospitals and clinics, he said, adding that the convicts admitted their crime.
"The brokers were hampering the activities of the doctors and other staffers of the hospitals… We seized patients' prescriptions and test reports from many of them," he said.
The magistrate said they carried out the raid, in association with hospital authorities, following complaints from patients and their family members.
Dr Ashraful Alam, assistant director of DMCH, said, "Many patients from villages come to this hospital for treatment. We are working to serve the patients. We do not want them to be harassed."
Asked whether hospital staffers are involved in the racket, Ashraful said they will take action if anyone provides specific allegation against any staffer.
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