Irregularities alleged in procurement, repair projects at Manirampur Health Complex

Allegations of widespread irregularities and corruption have surfaced at the Monirampur Upazila Health Complex over the procurement of medical equipment, hospital supplies and repair works.

According to official documents, the health complex purchased 1,000 bedsheets worth around Tk600,000, foam mattresses costing nearly Tk250,000 and bedside lockers valued at about Tk150,000. However, during a recent on-site visit, patients were reportedly found using old and damaged bedsheets and worn-out foam mattresses, raising questions about the actual distribution of the supplies.

Sources at the hospital said medicines worth Tk3.96 million were supplied by Essential Drugs Company Limited during the current fiscal year. In addition, medicines worth Tk2.6 million outside the EDCL supply chain and medical and surgical equipment worth Tk4.48 million were procured through the government’s e-GP tendering system.

A company named Lucky Medicine Supply was reportedly awarded contracts under six separate groups to supply non-EDCL medicines, surgical instruments, gauze and bandages, linen items, chemical reagents, furniture and kitchen supplies.

Documents showed that a four-member survey committee headed by Junior Consultant (Medicine) Dr Md Sumon Kabir received the supplies officially, while Resident Medical Officer Dr Anup Kumar Bosu served as member secretary.

Storekeeper Saiful Islam claimed that all supplies had been received and preserved properly. However, when asked why patients were still using dirty and unusable bedsheets, he referred the matter to Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Faiyaz Ahmed Faisal.

Allegations have also emerged over repair works carried out through quotations at the beginning of the fiscal year. Under Group “A,” Tk189,000 was reportedly spent on repairing six air conditioners and replacing parts of a binocular microscope in the pathology department. Under Group “B,” another Tk168,000 was shown as spent on repairing a dental chair, replacing compressor and filling systems and repairing oxygen concentrators in male and female wards.

Hospital staff alleged that only limited repair work had been completed while most of the allocated funds were misappropriated.

Anisuzzaman, an employee of the pathology department, claimed that no new parts had been added to the binocular microscope and that the department’s air conditioner had only been cleaned with water.

Dental surgeon Dr Yasin Arafat said he had personally repaired the dental chair after it became defective and alleged that several repair works shown in official documents were yet to be completed.

Hawa Begum, in-charge of the female ward, alleged that six oxygen concentrators were only partially repaired by mechanics brought in by storekeeper Saiful Islam, while the ECG machine remained out of order.

Questions have also been raised over the quotation process, which insiders alleged was conducted secretly to facilitate embezzlement. Documents reportedly showed participation from three firms — M/S HM Traders, M/S Tanuraj Construction and M/S Jim Enterprise.

Although the repair work was officially awarded to Tanuraj Construction, sources alleged that the work was actually supervised by storekeeper Saiful Islam.

Saiful Islam, however, denied the allegations and termed them baseless.

Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Faiyaz Ahmed Faisal said patients were not receiving new bedsheets and supplies due to negligence by nurses. He also claimed that the remaining repair works under the quotations would be completed within the next few months.

Meanwhile, Dr Masud Rana said action would be taken following an investigation if any irregularities were found.