Dilawar Hossain, Ajmiriganj (Habiganj)

A Mother and Child Diagnostic Center is running freely without the permission of the Habiganj Civil Surgeon Office and the trade license of Ajmiriganj Municipality on Kakailcheo Road of Ajmiriganj Municipality.

According to sources, since May 2024, complex treatments including ultrasonography, blood tests, X-rays are being carried out without any legal documents.

The directors of this diagnostic center did not consider it necessary to take any effort to obtain a trade license, no-objection certificate, no-objection certificate from the Environment Department, or clearance from the fire service from the municipal authorities.

Although there is a rule that a diagnostic center should be operated by the Habiganj Civil Surgeon under the Directorate of Health with a certificate or by applying, information has emerged that the Ajmiriganj Mother and Child Diagnostic Center started its activities by verbally informing the Habiganj Civil Surgeon through the acting president of Habiganj District Chhatra League, Dr. Tanmoy.

Due to the lack of valid documents or authorization, there is no scope for accountability for malpractice in the name of treatment by them. Furthermore, they are also evading government revenue by obtaining certificates from various departments, such as clearance from the Atomic Commission in the case of X-rays, clearance from the Department of Environment in the case of waste disposal and commitment not to pollute the environment, trade license and no-objection certificate of the municipality, clearance from the Labor and Employment Commission, clearance from the fire service, and certificates and clearances from important and necessary departments.

Some officials under the Department of Health, who did not want to be named, said that due to the situation after July, they cannot take any action even if they want to, for fear of being directly or politically influenced.

According to the working doctor and source of the Mother and Child Diagnostic Center, when we contacted Dr. Md. Tofazzul Hossain, the partial owner of the said diagnostic center, he frankly admitted that he did not have any valid documents. However, when we applied for a trade license at the Azmiriganj Municipality in June 2024, the municipality authorities informed us that the building owner's place was a government Khas Khatian and there was no holding number, so the trade license has not been issued to us till date. He also said that a person named Shayqul Alam is managing this diagnostic center. If you contact him, you will know the details about the lack of documents. Later, he gave us a card of that person.

When Dr. Md. Tofazzul Hossain contacted director Shayekul Alam on his mobile, he first confirmed that he was the director, but after introducing himself as a journalist, he said, "The owner of the diagnostic center told me to declare him the director on paper and then we will talk. We are journalists, why would we tell the owner this? If you are the director, please comment or apologize for calling." He said, "I know you, you are talking to me like this, why are you now showing me that?" and hung up.

Later, it was found out that the director of the so-called illegal diagnostic center works in Sylhet as an income tax lawyer.

When asked for details about the Azmiriganj Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Iqbal Hossain, said that the matter is completely under the Civil Surgeon's office. We do supervision work, if any diagnostic center is operated without valid documents, we will recommend to take the highest action.

Later, on his instructions, Sanitary Inspector Amjad Hossain went to the Mother and Child Diagnostic Center and instructed the directors to appear before the Azmiriganj Upazila Health Complex administration on Sunday (January 26, 2025) along with all their documents.

When Habiganj District Civil Surgeon Dr. Ratnadwip Biswas was informed about the issue of the Mother and Child Diagnostic Centre , he said, "Thank you for informing me. I have noted the matter. If it is without permission, then action will definitely be taken."