The growing influence of broker syndicates in government hospitals across Bangladesh has become a serious concern, leaving ordinary patients vulnerable to financial fraud and harassment. Recent visits to Gausul Azam BNSB Eye Hospital in Dinajpur’s suburban area revealed widespread allegations of unethical activities and the unchecked presence of brokers around the hospital premises.
According to hospital authorities, groups of brokers gather in front of the main gate every morning. As soon as patients leave after consulting doctors, the brokers approach them aggressively, attempting to seize their prescriptions. They lure patients with false promises of providing quality spectacles and medicines at lower prices. In many cases, patients are taken to nearby shops where they are given glasses with incorrect power instead of the prescribed lenses, while being charged exorbitant amounts of money. Most victims of these scams are poor, simple, and vulnerable people from rural areas.
Hospital officials stated that although legal measures have been taken against these syndicates on several occasions, their activities have not been effectively stopped. As a result, countless patients traveling from villages to the city for eye treatment continue to suffer financial losses and harassment.
Alamin, a patient from Parbatipur, shared his experience saying,
“After receiving treatment at BNSB Eye Hospital, a few individuals approached me and insisted on checking my prescription. When I refused, they began pressuring an elderly woman standing nearby, trying to take her prescription and persuade her with promises of better-quality glasses. When I verbally protested against their actions, the brokers became aggressive and hurled abusive language at me.”
He further urged the authorities to ensure that patients coming from distant areas are protected from harassment by brokers and called for stricter monitoring around the hospital gate and surrounding areas.
Acting Manager of BNSB Hospital, Sajedur Rahman, said,
“We regularly make announcements through loudspeakers at the hospital gate to raise awareness among patients, advising them not to accept any services from outsiders or brokers. Despite repeated awareness campaigns, it has become extremely difficult to curb their activities.”
Dr. Chowdhury Mosaddekul Izdani, General Secretary of Gausul Azam BNSB Eye Hospital, stated,
“These brokers have been carrying out such activities for a long time. Whenever our staff try to stop them, they react aggressively and behave abusively. They often try to provoke conflicts with hospital employees. One member of the broker syndicate even misbehaved with a female staff member, who later filed a written complaint. We have already informed the district administration about the matter.”
While the hospital authorities remain deeply concerned over the growing influence of these broker groups, patients continue to face harassment and exploitation on a daily basis. Although conscious citizens have raised their voices against the issue, no effective solution has yet been achieved. Concerned authorities have called upon law enforcement agencies and the administration to take urgent action to eliminate the menace of broker syndicates and ensure a safe environment for patients.
