The violence of brokers is increasing in government medical college hospitals of the country. A total of 38 brokers of various syndicates were arrested in RAB-7 special operation in Chittagong Medical College (CMC) hospital area.
On Wednesday morning, RAB-7 arrested 38 brokers from various wards in the Chittagong Medical College (CMC) Hospital area. At that time, 14 of the 38 people arrested by the executive magistrate of Chittagong district administration were fined 10 thousand taka, and awarded 1 month rigorous imprisonment in default and 24 were given 1 month rigorous imprisonment and 5 thousand taka fine, 15 days rigorous imprisonment in default. They are mainly the rural poor, the helpless, who target these victims who are ignorant of the government medical system and extort money in various ways by creating fear among the patients and their relatives by talking about the inadequacy of treatment in government hospitals.
RAB-7 CO Lieutenant Colonel Mahbub Alam said, RAB team in white clothes raided the hospital wards and arrested 39 people of different syndicates. They are mainly active in Bed and Ward Syndicate, Medicine Syndicate and Ambulance Syndicate. They lure the patients with various facilities. They lure patients because of commission trade. Seven types of syndicates and brokers work in this hospital. Among them, are professional brokers syndicate, Bed and Ward Syndicate, Chronic Disease Panic, Ambulance Syndicate, Examination Syndicate, Commission Trade, Trade Syndicate.
Brokers get a commission of 200-500 taka and up to 5000 taka depending on the situation if they bring a patient. Brokers divert patients to so-called clinics or diagnostic centres of their convenience, thus brokers earn higher commissions.
Govt hospitals come with the expectation of cheap/free healthcare. The government has arranged for free medical services in hospitals. Common people are being deprived of free desired medical facilities provided by the government due to dishonest syndicates centerted around government hospitals in the country.
RAB said that this special operation of RAB will continue in the future to make government hospitals free of brokers.