Unlicenced diagnostic centres and private hospitals have mushroomed in Chittagong. The photo shows Desh Medical Services on Chatteswari Road in Chittagong city whose manager could not say whether it had any licence. Inset, four beds cramped in one room of City Hospital at Probortok Mor which is running without any licence. Photo: Anurup Kanti Das

An estimated 1,000 unlicenced diagnostic centres and private hospitals have mushroomed in Chittagong, some operating without any trained medical staff, with the authorities lacking power and resources to stop the illegal practice.
In some cases, these institutions are starting operations just after applying with the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) for licence and not waiting for approval.
This practice is a clear violation of the Medical Practice and Private Clinics and Laboratories (Regulation) Ordinance, 1982.
Nearly all the major thoroughfares of Chittagong city are lined with such centres and hospitals and more particularly in areas adjoining Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH).
Their numbers do not match figures of the District Civil Surgeon's office in Chittagong, which states that there are just over 200 diagnostic centres and about 80 private hospitals, approved by the DGHS, in the district.
Minhazur Rahman, general secretary of Chittagong Clinic Owners Association, thinks that the number of such illegal healthcare centres would far exceed 1,000 and tougher action must be taken to bring these under the purview of the law.
Chittagong District Civil Surgeon Dr Md Abu Tayyab told The Daily Star that he knew about the unlicenced diagnostic centres and private hospitals.
He said his office, aided by the district administration and police, forms a mobile court and goes on rounds twice every month.
The illegal institutions are fined and/or asked to close down, he said, adding that a few doctor impersonators have already been fined.
However, some centres and hospitals continue operations after paying fines and in some cases, the “closing down” orders are not obeyed.
Most of these illegal clinics have been often found to be filthy and unhygienic, an environment not at all congenial for medical treatment.
Abdul Jabbar, managing director of one such clinic, Patient Care Hospital Limited, said, “There are many medical institutions without any valid licence. Our licence application is under process.”
The hospital was found to be running without any approval since 2007.
Bashundhara, a diagnostic centre in Panchlaish Residential Area, near CMCH, had not renewed its licence which expired in 2010.
Desh Medical Services on Chatteswari Road, just behind Chittagong Medical College (CMC), has been running for over a decade but has no doctor or medical staff on duty at all times.
Even the manager, who has been working there for eight years, said he was not aware if the clinic was licenced.
Jhunu Probha Shil, a doctor impersonator of City Hospital, a maternity and diagnostic centre situated just opposite CMCH, was fined Tk 1 lakh by a mobile court.
This correspondent recently found her in the hospital. She now claims to be a medical student in a non-government medical college and said the hospital's licence application was under process.
When asked about this widespread malpractice, CMC Principal Dr Selim Mohammed Jahangir said, “This is not only illegal but also unethical and immoral.”
He urged the authorities to take stern action against such perpetrators and give exemplary punishment to deter people from carrying out such activities.
The scenario in Chittagong's upazilas is no different.
Dr Tayyab said they recommended four such centres in upazilas to be denied licence for failing to comply with the required standards. But these centres are carrying out their activities, regardless, he added.
No trained medical staff was found in Srishti Hospital and Diagnostic Centre in Anwara upazila. Abdul Halim, identifying himself as a director of the centre, said, “We shall apply for licence.”
Dr Tayyab said bringing out mobile courts twice a month was not enough and the resources and manpower at his disposal did not allow him to take stern action against those who are “flagrantly violating the laws”.