Eighty percent clinics, diagnostic centres in Jashore are unauthorised

Moon Hospital and Diagnostic Centre in Manirampur upazila of Jashore district has two branches. Abdul Hai, the owner of the centre and a self-proclaimed physician, conducts all the activities like providing medical treatment and carrying out surgeries there.

Being informed about the matter, the health department raided the Moon Hospital. Both the branches of this diagnostic centre have since been sealed off for various irregularities and mismanagement.

Besides, the district administration is taking action against Abdul Hai, the self-proclaimed doctor.

Not just Moon Hospital, there are a total of 262 hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centers in Jashore, and out of those, 211 or 80 percent are operating illegally.

Moreover, 105 of the institutions do not have licenses, while the licenses of 106 institutions have expired. Now, only 51 institutions have updated licenses.

Shukur Ali, who is from Panisara village in Jhikargacha upazila, recently went for a chest X-ray and ECG at Satata Diagnostic Centre on Ghop Central Road in Jashore district town.

Later, the doctor at the 25-bed hospital in Jashore did not accept his 'faulty pathological report.'

The standards of pathological reports of all the unauthorised clinics are almost the same.

According to the civil surgeon's office, eight institutions have been sealed off in recent drives by the health department.

Sources from the civil surgeon's office also said that Satata Diagnostic Centre on Ghop Central Road in Jashore town, diagnostic activities of Modern Hospital, Moon Hospital and Diagnostic Center (Hospital intersection branch) of Manirampur upazila, New Progati Hospital and Diagnostic Centre, New Life Diagnostic Center and Moon Hospital and Diagnostic Centre (Kuada branch) were sealed on July 27.

Matribhasha Clinic and Diagnostic Center in the Khajura area of ​​the district town was sealed off on July 26, while Mohua Clinic in Bosundia was sealed on July 21.

There were no specialist doctors, nurses or technologists in any of these institutions. 

Dr Abu Maud, civil surgeon in-charge in Jashore said that out of the 262 clinics and diagnostic centres in the district, 68 were in Jashore city and Sadar upazila.

"More than half of the institutions are operating illegally. They have not received an updated license. Besides, the owners of seven new institutions are operating their clinics, but they have only just applied for the license online," he said.

The worst situations are in hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centers in different upazilas, he added.

The institutions do business in the name of providing medical treatment once they get the approval from the government. Many patients fall in their trap and get harassed, said the acting civil surgeon of Jashore. 

He also said, "Signboards are everything. There are no rules in these institutions. Quacks perform all the diagnostic tests and provide some fictional reports. Doctors are hired for conducting surgeries."

Strict action has been taken against all these illegal hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centers, he added.

Dr Abu Maud, the acting civil surgeon of the district, said that all these institutions had applied for the license to the director of the Health Department through the online method.

"But all these applications are imperfect. So, there were no letters sent to inspect these institutions. They have opened hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centers without caring for government approval," he added.

No institution will be allowed to operate without a valid license, said the acting civil surgeon.

Currently, only hospitals and clinics that have paid their dues till 2017 and have proper updated approval are allowed to operate at the moment," he added.