Patuakhali Medical College Hospital: Brokers, medical representatives, pvt ambulance staffers disrupting services
The services at Patuakhali Medical College Hospital are being hampered due to the misdoings of the hospital brokers, representatives of various pharmaceutical companies and private ambulance staffers.
The superintendent of the hospital sent a letter to the Patuakhali deputy commissioner (DC) on August 27 seeking legal steps in this regard.
In the letter, hospital Super Dr Abdul Matin stated that the incidents of harassment by the brokers and representatives of pharmaceutical companies in the inpatient and outpatient departments of Patuakhali Medical College Hospital are increasing day by day. As a result, patients are being deprived of the desired medical services. The number of medical tests at the hospital is decreasing. As the patients are not getting the desired services here, the government is being deprived of revenue. In this situation, the hospital super has sought the intervention of the DC to conduct mobile court at the hospital to curb the illegal activities of the brokers, representatives of pharmaceutical companies and private ambulance services.
Visiting the hospital on Tuesday, the hyperactivity of brokers, representatives of pharmaceutical companies and private ambulances was seen at different wards of Patuakhali Medical College Hospital.
Sabina from Hajikhali village in Sadar upazila came with her 18-month-old son Mohammad to the hospital for fever and cough. The doctor recommended an X-ray of the baby and told Sabina that it could be done at the hospital at a cost of only Tk 200. But as soon as she got out of the doctor's chamber, a broker took her to a private clinic in front of the hospital for the X-ray saying that it could be done only at Tk 150.
Archana Rani Saha, 35 of Arambagh area of Patuakhali town, just came out of a doctor's chamber when a representative of a pharmaceutical company took a snap of the prescription in her hand.
When asked, the representative said, "We only visit the hospital for 5 to 10 minutes and leave. This does not cause any problem for the patients or hospital services."
Several private ambulances were seen parked inside the hospital premises.
President of Patuakhali Ambulance Owners' Association Md Nesar Uddin said the hospital has only two ambulances which are very inadequate.
"We transport patients at emergency. This is not disrupting the services of the hospital," he also said.
Md Limon, general secretary of the Patuakhali unit of the Pharmaceutical Representative Association 'Pharia', said he was aware of the letter from the hospital authorities. A meeting of the organisation will be called soon and a decision will be taken in this regard.
Hospital super Dr Mohammad Abdul Matin, said that the representatives of the pharmaceutical company enter the doctors' chambers and gather inside. Brokers lure patients into private clinics to conduct medical tests, causing loss of the hospital revenue. Private ambulances obstruct patients to seek the government ambulance services. A letter has been sent to the deputy commissioner requesting him to take necessary steps in this regard.
Contacted, Patuakhali DC Mohammad Kamal Hossain said, it is the job of the hospital authorities. They will manage their activities.
"However, they have written for help and we will provide necessary assistance in this regard."
Comments