The Anti-Corruption Commission on Wednesday conducted a raid on Rajshahi Medical College Hospital following allegations of irregularities in the distribution of essential medicines among patients.
A four-member enforcement team led by Amir Hossain, assistant director of the ACC鈥檚 Rajshahi district integrated office, visited the hospital, after a service recipient lodged a written complaint with the agency, accusing Rafiqul Islam, pharmacist-in-charge of RMCH鈥檚 outpatient dispensary, and Mir Shahidul Islam, pharmacist of RMCH鈥檚 main store, of discrepancies in the handling of drugs.
According to the complaint, the medicine distribution records did not match actual usage. Some essential drugs鈥� montelukast, fexofenadine, metformin, oral saline, metronidazole, diagnostic kits, GTN and paracetamol 鈥� were allegedly misreported or unaccounted for in short slips, suggesting serious inventory manipulation.
During the drive, the ACC officials examined drug registers and record books, and seized relevant documents for further scrutiny.
Speaking to reporters after the raid, Amir Hossain said that they reviewed the documents of the hospital鈥檚 main store and outpatient dispensary. 鈥楤ased on the findings, a full report will be submitted to the Commission,鈥� he said.
Amir also said that they had also observed irregular practices involving daily-wage hospital workers, who were seen pushing patient trolleys in exchange for money from attendants, despite being paid by the hospital for those duties.
鈥榃e have found evidence that some daily-wage staff are demanding money for trolley services, and that ambulance drivers are charging irregular fares from patients,鈥� Amir said, adding that they would file a detailed report to the commissioner for further action.
Contacted, RMCH deputy director Hasanul Hasib said that officials named in the complaint had been warned. 鈥楾hey have been instructed to perform only their assigned duties,鈥� he said.
Asked about the drug-related allegations, he said that they were not giving much weight to such ghost complaints as these were not uncommon.
