Zero tolerance against brokers in hospitals: RAB

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-2) Deputy Commander Additional DIG Khalidul Haque Howlader said that law enforcement agencies are preparing a list of broker syndicates who harass or deceive patients in various government hospitals through intelligence surveillance.

"We are compiling lists of these brokers so that legal action can be taken against them," he said. 

He further stated that operations against brokers will continue and the highest possible legal measures will be taken. "Our policy against brokers is zero tolerance," he added.

He made these remarks at a press briefing on Sunday morning after conducting anti-broker drives at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital, the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, and the National Orthopaedic Hospital and Rehabilitation Institute (Pangu Hospital).

He said that during the drives at the three hospitals, 20 brokers were detained, and legal action will be taken against them according to the law. Brokers who harass patients seeking treatment and resort to fraudulent practices are often brought under legal action through mobile courts.

Khalidul Haque Howlader also noted that patients coming to government hospitals for healthcare services frequently face harassment from broker syndicates. "The Ministry of Health has declared zero tolerance against the dominance of these brokers and the harassment of patients," he said.

On March 4, the Ministry of Health announced a seven-point action plan to eliminate brokers, according to an official notice. One of the key measures includes conducting legal drives against brokers through mobile courts and taking action against them for criminal offences.

He added that operations against broker syndicates will continue.