Kamalganj hospital plagued by corruption, neglect: NCP leader

Patients are being cheated at Kamalganj Upazila Health Complex with medicine distribution, while unsanitary conditions and a lack of essential staff continue to endanger public health, according to Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP) central leader Pritam Das.

On Sunday, NCP Joint Secretary Pritam Das paid a surprise visit to the hospital to inspect the situation firsthand.

Despite being upgraded to a 50-bed facility seven years ago, Kamalganj Upazila Health Complex in Moulvibazar remains crippled by inadequate staffing, poor hygiene and alleged corruption. 

The hospital which serves a population of over 400,000, is facing severe operational challenges despite its official status as a 50-bed hospital.

Patients complain of rampant mismanagement, unsanitary conditions and fraudulent practices surrounding medicine distribution. 

During his visit, Pritam Das toured various wards, spoke with patients, their families, and on-duty doctors. 

He expressed shock at the state of the facility, describing it as a "hospital in misery." 

He noted that the number of doctors is grossly insufficient compared to the number of daily patients. 

“This is a hospital in name only. It lacks manpower, equipment, and even basic cleanliness,” he told reporters after the visit.

He added that with only 86 staff members working against 136 approved positions; including just 8 of 19 doctor posts filled, the hospital is incapable of providing quality care. Many patients with even minor ailments are being referred to district-level hospitals due to the lack of resources.

Das criticized the unhygienic state of the hospital, describing how waste such as used syringes and food wrappers are found littered across wards and stairwells, often thrown out of windows by patients and nurses due to the absence of waste disposal systems. The toilets are in such disrepair that many patients avoid them entirely.

One of the most serious allegations made by Pritam Das was related to fraud in medicine distribution. 

“We found no patients in the outpatient area, yet the register showed that many had been issued medicines. Where are these medicines going?” he questioned. “It’s clear that there is cheating happening at multiple levels.”

He also alleged that illegal activities such as drug use occur on the hospital premises at night, and that certain staff are enabling corruption. 

“It’s unimaginable that such things happen in a healthcare institution funded by taxpayer money,” Das said. He demanded the civil surgeon and relevant authorities take immediate action.

Locals echoed similar sentiments. Many blamed the hospital’s long-time in-charge, Mohammad Mahbubul Alam Bhuiyan, accusing him of using his position for personal gain, including land purchases allegedly made with misappropriated funds. 

“In the last six years, the hospital has not improved. On the contrary, it’s deteriorated,” said one resident.

Another local, Hasnat Ali, said bluntly, “The only solution is to transfer Dr. Mahbubul Alam Bhuiyan and sanitary officer Dulal Miah. Once they’re gone, things will improve.”

On social media, residents voiced their frustrations. One user, Tarek Ahmed, commented under a post about the hospital, accusing the in-charge of extorting patients and preventing qualified doctors from joining. 

“Even the maternity ward is in horrible condition,” he wrote.

When asked for his response, Dr. Mahbubul Alam Bhuiyan, Health and Family Planning Officer of Kamalganj, acknowledged the staffing crisis. 

“There are 19 sanctioned doctor positions, but only 8 are filled,” he said. 

However, he avoided directly addressing the allegations of fraud or corruption.

Pritam Das concluded by saying that NCP will soon engage with the Ministry of Health to demand the immediate recruitment of doctors, nurses, cleaners and security personnel. 

“The people of Kamalganj deserve better. This is not healthcare; this is negligence,” he said.

SS/SH