RAB detains 32 middlemen from KMCH

Khulna Bureau

In a joint raid at Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH) by RAB and district administration on Monday morning, at least 32 brokers were arrested. Eighteen of them have been sentenced to different jail terms and 14 have been fined and later released on payment of the fines.

According to the hospital sources, the brokers’ activities reduced during RAB raids recently. But later due to lack of campaign, their activities increased. They constantly cheat people who come from different parts of the district for treatment. They even physically assault them. Based on such allegations, RAB raided KMCH and arrested the 32.

Milon Sheikh came to KMCH from Pirojpur to treat his mother. As she was admitted here on Thursday evening, she could not get his mother diagnosed. Because Friday was a weekend, he could not get the sick mother’s physical diagnosis that day. That morning, he went to a local private hospital for a test through a broker. From there it was said that the test report would be given on Friday evening. He appeared on time but did not get the report. He was told that he would be given the test on Saturday. But he was not given that day either. Later, he reported the matter to RAB.

In this regard, Director of RAB Lt. Col. Mushtaq Ahmed said, “Health care is one of our basic needs. A citizen has the right to access his health care. Even as health care is changing, brokers are still trying to deprive citizens of access to health care. On the basis of complaints from hospitals and victims, we conduct large-scale operations against brokers. RAB is able to arrest the members of the broker gang. Analyzing various trials, 32 people have been brought under punishment. Eighteen of them have been sentenced to various terms. Anyone who obstructs the provision of medical care to citizens will be brought under the law. The campaign will be intensified in the future.”

Executive Magistrate Apratim Kumar Chakraborty said, “The brokers have been targeted for more than two weeks. It was possible to arrest them today by carrying out intelligence activities against them. They were arrested in the morning. They motivated the patients and took them out the hospital to private hospitals. They prevent patients from seeking medical treatment at government hospitals. Two persons were acquitted as the crime was not proved against them.”

KMCH Director Md Rabiul Hasan said, “Sometimes we conduct raids. Many fled after hearing the news of the raid. RAB has been able to arrest them by increasing intelligence activities.”