Barishal Bureau

Dr. Amitabh Sarkar, an associate professor in the Department of Neuromedicine at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College, Barisal, has been accused of various irregularities, including unnecessary tests on patients, commission trading, seeing patients in private hospitals during government working hours, and share fraud. Recently, a person named Md. Masum has filed a written complaint with the Health Secretary and the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC), demanding an impartial investigation and punishment in these matters.

According to the charge sheet and related sources, Dr. Amitabh Sarkar has indirect and close involvement with Bellevue Hospital and Medical Services, Rahat Anwar Hospital and KMC Hospital in Barisal. He sends patients coming to government hospitals and chambers to certain private hospitals for unnecessary tests including CT scans, MRIs and other tests and takes a hefty commission. As a fraud tactic, some part of the commission is misled by writing 'less' or discount. In addition, he is accused of sending healthy patients to certain centers for unnecessary physiotherapy, and taking commission from private hospital bed rent and doctor round fees.

The complaint further states that he diverts patients from government hospitals to private institutions through brokers and provides medical services at private hospitals during government working hours. This is severely disrupting the general medical services at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College.

In addition to medical business, he was accused of exerting influence over the management and share-related matters of Bellevue Hospital. The charge sheet mentions attempts to become the chairman himself by breaking a legitimate committee and financial irregularities in share purchase. It is even claimed that irregularities found in his income tax documents were tried to be covered up in exchange for money. It has been demanded that he be promptly transferred and exemplary punishment should be imposed after investigating his illegal share purchase, taking unethical benefits from pharmaceutical companies and commission trading while still in government service.

However, Dr. Amitabh Sarkar has completely denied these allegations. He claimed, "I do not have any shares in Bellevue or KMC Hospital in my name. I do not take commission from any test, I write test slips for patients for discounts. No one can provide proof of taking benefits from pharmaceutical companies. I do my duty properly in government hospitals and only go to private hospitals after 2 pm. Apart from that, I am not aware of any complaint written against me yet."