Kajal Baran Das, Patuakhali
Allegations of irregularities have surfaced over the appointment of a new contractor to supply food to patients at Patuakhali 250-bed Hospital, after a single contractor remained in charge for 18 years.
Altaf Hossain, a contractor from the district town, lodged a written complaint with the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the district administration and the hospital superintendent, alleging that he was the lowest bidder but was denied the work order, which was awarded to a higher bidder.
The hospital invited tenders on July 11 this year for supplying patient food (pathya), stationery and several other packages. According to the tender process, Altaf was the lowest bidder on August 11, quoting Tk 1.27 crore for food against Tk 1.59 crore by the successful bidder — a difference of Tk 32 lakh. For stationery, Altaf quoted Tk 12 lakh against Tk 18 lakh by the successful bidder.
Altaf confirmed his complaint on September 7. However, neither he nor hospital sources could identify the firm that received the work order.
The issue has drawn attention because the hospital had awarded the patient food supply contract to Shahidul Islam for 18 years. He received the contract in 2008-09 and continued supplying food until June 2026. He is the finance affairs secretary of Patuakhali Municipality Awami League.
The arrangement had been criticised at meetings of the district administration’s law-and-order committee. Human chains were also staged and a complaint was filed with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
On July 1, 2024, Md Abul Kalam filed a complaint with the ACC, alleging that hospital authorities had colluded with Shahidul and kept the food supply tender closed for 18 years without valid reason. The complaint also identified hospital accountant Md Hasanuzzaman as Shahidul’s business partner and alleged that patients were receiving less food than stipulated.
The 2008-09 work order was used continuously through 2016-17. Following allegations, the hospital invited a new tender on August 20, 2016. Shahidul filed a case the following day seeking a stay on the tender, but no stay order was issued.
The defendants sought several extensions to submit their objection and finally did so on May 23, 2018. August 30 was fixed for framing issues. There was then no progress for five years, with the hospital authorities effectively failing to maintain contact with the case.
The court again fixed September 21, 2023 for framing issues, followed by hearings on April 28, 2024, November 19, 2025 and August 24, 2025. At the last hearing, Senior Civil Judge Md Russell Majumder found the case documents disorganised and fixed February 26 this year. After that hearing, August 30 was set for framing issues. Only the plaintiff’s lawyer attended the February 26 hearing.
Shahidul’s lawyer is former Additional General Prosecutor Advocate Firoz Alam. The hospital defendants are represented by Advocate Nazrul Islam Badal, Shahidul’s brother-in-law and legal affairs secretary of the district Awami League, and his junior Abul Bashar-2.
Nazrul Islam Badal also gave a legal opinion advising the hospital to suspend the new contractor.
Hospital Superintendent Dr Dilruba Yasmin Liza and accountant Md Hasanuzzaman did not respond to several phone calls seeking their comments.
District Administrator Dr Mohammad Shahid Hossain Chowdhury said all government departments must follow the Public Procurement Rules, 2025.
He said public money must be spent properly to ensure maximum benefit, and ignoring procurement rules could lead to necessary action after an investigation. #EK
