A bizarre theft!

The levers of about two hundred insecticide sprayers to destroy sand flies that cause kala-azar have gone missing from the Bhaluka Trauma Centre in Mymensingh and no one seems to know how. The bizarre theft has left the devices unusable, delaying the spraying programme aimed at containing the deadly disease in the area.

How this could happen in a government-run hospital is beyond comprehension. And the observation of the OC of the local police station that it could very well be an inside job offers reasons to worry and a number of questions. Were the parts stolen in one day? Who was in charge of safeguarding the devices procured from the World Health Organization? How difficult is it to hold someone responsible for this matter that a probe committee consisting of three physicians has to be formed to investigate the matter? Do doctors not have more important things to do, like looking after patients? Why not let the local police deal with the issue?

Stealing of medicine and other valuable materials from hospitals is, as shocking as it may sound, not uncommon in our country. But stealing parts of devices that are meant for preventing a disease the fatality rate of which can be as high as 100 percent takes the menace to a whole new level.

The hospital administration should stop with the nonsensical procrastination, identify the culprits and award them exemplary punishment under law.