Multiple corruption allegations surface against Fokirhat Health Complex head clerk

Published : Saturday, 25 July, 2026 at 6:19 PM

Observer online report

The head clerk of Fokirhat Upazila Health Complex in Bagerhat, Md. Shahidul Islam, has been accused of misusing official power, halting ambulance services, embezzling employees’ payments, demanding bribes, disappearing important government files, and misappropriating public assets. Written complaints have been submitted to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the divisional health director and other relevant authorities seeking an investigation.

Copies of the complaints, statements from alleged victims, and audio-video records related to the allegations have been obtained by this correspondent.

Former ambulance driver of the health complex, Atik, alleged that a government fuel bill of around Tk 45,000 was withdrawn in his name. He claimed that he was given Tk 35,000 after Tk 10,000 was allegedly retained, but he refused to accept the money. Following the dispute, the ambulance service of the health complex remained suspended for nearly two months, according to his allegation.

Atik further alleged that he was later asked to pay Tk 1 lakh as a bribe to resume the ambulance service. He claimed that after refusing to comply, he faced harassment and was eventually transferred elsewhere without taking the money. The complaint stated that emergency patients suffered due to the suspension of ambulance services.

A community clinic healthcare provider (CHCP), Mahmuda Khatun of Paikpara Community Clinic, alleged that she was deprived of part of her salary during maternity leave. In a written complaint submitted to the Bagerhat Civil Surgeon on December 19, 2024, she said she had taken approved paid leave in 2018 following childbirth. However, she alleged that then cashier Shahidul Islam informed her that it was unpaid leave.

According to the complaint, the matter came to light after six years, following which a portion of the money was returned in the presence of the upazila health officer. However, Mahmuda alleged that Tk 10,200 was still withheld illegally. She also accused officials of attempting to prepare a false voucher using a backdated date.

In another complaint submitted to the Civil Surgeon, it was alleged that important official files of three CHCPs appointed in 2011 went missing after Shahidul Islam took charge as head clerk in 2023. The complainants said the original files of Mahmuda Khatun of Paikpara, Rubia Khatun of Pagla Shyamnagar and Khoma Das of Bighai could not be found.

The complaints also alleged that Shahidul Islam misused government resources during his long tenure at the same workplace. Allegations include using soil from the hospital pond, construction materials such as bricks and rods for personal purposes, cutting government trees, receiving illegal benefits from contractors, preparing fake bills, staying in a government residence for eight years without paying rent, and accumulating assets beyond known income.

Hospital employees and local residents have also brought several allegations against the head clerk. Hospital gardener Nazmul Haque alleged that he faced mental and physical harassment for refusing to do personal work assigned by Shahidul Islam. He further claimed that the water connection to his government quarter was disconnected for three consecutive days.

Six nurses of the health complex had earlier submitted a written complaint to the upazila health officer on June 9, 2022, alleging that tulsi and flower plants planted for religious purposes were cut down and burned. They claimed that despite repeated allegations of irregularities, no effective action was taken due to the accused’s influence.

Local resident Kazi Shahen Shah Mithun also alleged that his land had been occupied by using administrative influence. He further accused Shahidul Islam of running a private fish farm business while being a government employee and spending office hours there.

When contacted, Md. Shahidul Islam declined to comment on the allegations, saying, “I do not want to say anything about this matter.”

Fokirhat Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Asaduzzaman Sagar did not agree to make any comment despite repeated attempts to contact him.

Bagerhat Civil Surgeon Dr. A.S. Md. Mahbubul Alam said several written complaints had been received against Shahidul Islam. “A committee will be formed to investigate the matter. If the allegations are proven, legal action will be taken,” he said.

-AAT/HIS