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A desperate looting syndicate has become active at Jashore 250-bed General Hospital, engaging in extortion and theft of medicines and supplies. Allegations have surfaced that some doctors are providing shelter to the syndicate, allowing its members to continue their illegal activities year after year.
Recently, on August 27, the hospital authorities dismissed two volunteer employees, Kohinoor Akter and Polly, for stealing 78 injections from the women’s surgery ward.
Sources reveal that critical areas of the hospital, including the emergency department, operating rooms, surgery wards, and medicine wards, have become hotspots for illicit activities. The reluctance to rotate staff in these areas has been attributed to their lucrative positions.
Several doctors are allegedly backing these employees, who exploit their positions for personal gain. While there is a rule to change duty rosters every three months, in practice, many staff members only nominally adhere to this schedule, leading to persistent corruption.
According to unnamed sources, previous efforts to address the issue, led by former supervisor Dr. Salahuddin Ahmed, were unsuccessful. Despite his attempts to relocate corrupt employees, some doctors resisted, arguing that their removal would disrupt medical services. Similarly, Dr. Yakub Ali Molla, another supervisor, faced similar obstacles.
It is claimed that some doctors benefit from these employees’ illegal activities, as they handle minor tasks and even perform small operations, reducing the need for doctors to be physically present. The syndicate reportedly also provides meals for doctors from their illicit earnings.
The situation worsened with the theft of 78 government-issued injections. Kohinoor and Polly, who were working in the women's surgery and gynecology wards respectively, were caught stealing 39 pieces of Gas Injection Pantix and 39 pieces of Antibiotic Ceftriaxone Injection.
This theft led to their dismissal on August 27. Kohinoor had been previously expelled from the hospital in September 2022 for engaging in dressing trade scams. Despite being expelled, he managed to return to the hospital by managing the syndicate, only to be fired again for theft.
Dr. Harun Ar Rashid, the hospital's current supervisor, stated that he is committed to combating corruption and irregularities at the hospital. He has vowed to dismantle the looting syndicate and has already taken strict action against Kohinoor and Polly. Further disciplinary actions will be taken against anyone found involved in similar activities.
Messenger/Fameema
