Inconsistency in 7 medical interns' certificates: ACC

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has found seven intern doctors at different hospitals of the country working with 'questionable' certificates.

Acting on a tip-off, an ACC team yesterday led a drive at Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC), and found serious inconsistencies in certificates of the seven intern doctors.

BMDC and ACC officials however declined to disclose their identities, saying the matter is now under enquiry.

To practice in the country, students who complete MBBS degree from abroad have to sit for exams at BMDC. Those who pass get temporary licenses to work at hospitals.

ACC sources said the interns submitted MBBS certificates of Taishan Medical University in China.

ACC officials examined the certificates and found inconsistencies.

“BMDC authority failed to give any satisfactory explanation to ACC team,” said a member of the team, preferring anonymity.

BMDC Registrar Dr. Md. Zahedul Haque Basunia told The Daily Star they would send scanned copies of the certificates to Taishan Medical University for verification.

Asked why they did not verify it earlier, he said Embassy of Bangladesh in China and Ministry of Foreign Affairs authenticated the certificates. “Since they give authentication, we did not verify it further,” he said, adding that tampering might have taken place at embassy and ministry.

ACC Director General Mohammad Munir Chowdhury, who coordinated the drive, said BMDC cannot give registration without proper verification.