Outsiders gang up to work as patients' aides

"Shamsul Islam, (a third class employee at the RMCH) engaged me here. He is my uncle. He can not work because of illness. I work on his behalf ", Asam said when asked by this correspondent.

There are about 50 male and female outsiders working at RMCH illegally.

This correspondent talked to some others like Asma. All of them said they were engaged by some hospital staff, mainly third and fourth class employees. They have actually formed a gang.

Abdur Rahman, another man working at RMCH illegally said he is working at RMCH with the permission of RMCH trade union leaders.

"As the hospital lacks sufficient manpower, we give services to patients. In return we money from patients," Nurul Islam, another unauthorised person working at the hospital said.

Allegations have it that the patients and medics are virtually hostage to the gangs of unauthorised people at the hospital sheltered by trade union leaders and a small section of vested quarters. Patients have to give them money for service. Medicines are often stolen. Attendants of patient keep mum and even doctors do not dare to speak against them.

"Patients coming from rural areas are the worst victim of exploitation by these unauthorised people at the hospital," said a registrar at the medicine ward.

At the female ward, Amina Begum, 60, who from Chilmari in Kurigram, said she does not get her meal regularly.

"A man demanded Tk10 per meal but I could not pay him". She could not name him.

Seeking anonymity, a doctor said a number of third and forth class employees of the hospital have engaged the outsiders at the hospital. They have neither training nor education, he added.

In every ward, there are five to six such outsiders, engaged by the 'ward sarder (a forth class employee), who earn Tk200 to Tk 250 a day on an average. Each unauthorised worker pays the sarder Tk 50 a day, he added.

Asked, RMCH Director Shahajahan Bishwas said, "I noticed this when I joined the hospital."

He said, he had imposed restrictions for outsiders at the hospital.

"After my order, all employees now have ID cards hung from their nick so that patients can differentiate outsiders and hospital employees," he said.

Abdur Rouf, president of RMCH trade union, however denied the allegation that outsiders work at the hospital.

"Fourteen outsiders were engaged last year on the basis of understanding with some employees. Their contract period is over. Some of them might be visiting wards now for work," he said.