The authorities of Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) have announced a zero-tolerance policy against active broker rings, patient-snatching syndicates and irregularities by medicine traders operating within the hospital premises.
The announcement was made this morning by Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Mayor and CMCH Hospital Management Committee President Dr Shahadat Hossain while inaugurating a special cleanliness drive at the hospital at 9:00am.
"We have launched a clean-up drive. Strict action will be taken against broker syndicates, patient harassment and illegal businesses. Our main goal is to ensure that patients receive medical care safely and transparently," the mayor said.
He outlined a series of initiatives aimed at transforming the hospital into a clean, safe, disciplined and people-friendly institution.
Referring to previous allegations that patients had been compelled to pay ambulance fares ranging from Tk 8,000 to Tk 12,000, he said such irregularities would no longer be tolerated. A fixed fare chart would be strictly enforced, he added.
As part of the drive, the mayor inspected various shops on the hospital premises and instructed traders to maintain dustbins and ensure proper waste management. Anti-mosquito larvicide was also sprayed in drains to curb mosquito breeding.
He further announced plans to declare the entire hospital campus a smoking-free and drug-free zone.
To ensure the sustainability of the cleanliness campaign, a 20-member cleaning team comprising 10 workers from the CCC and 10 from the hospital authorities will remain on duty round the clock, he added.
The mayor also said work on a new deep tubewell, intended to address the hospital's acute water shortage, was nearing completion.
"Chittagong Medical College Hospital is our pride. We are working tirelessly to improve the overall environment of the hospital so that patients receive honourable and quality service," he said.
CMCH Director Brigadier General Mohammad Taslim Uddin, along with senior officials of the CCC and hospital authorities, was present during the drive.
