A Gopalganj mobile court imposed a fine of Tk1 lakh on Niramoy Nursing Home and Diagnostic Centre in Kashiani after raiding it based on various allegations, including performing surgery without permission.
Despite receiving multiple complaints, the owner was not sent to prison on "humanitarian considerations," as said by the civil surgeon.
The raid, led by district administration Executive Magistrate Ishtiaq Ahmed, took place at the clinic on Sunday.
According to reports, a pregnant woman was admitted to the hospital on December 15. She underwent surgery around 2pm, performed by clinic owner Dr Aslamuzzaman. The newborn was delivered alive after 15 minutes, but the mother remained unconscious when brought back to the cabin about an hour and a half later.
As she did not regain consciousness for an extended period, her relatives suspected she had died. The matter was settled that night by paying Tk2 lakh to the deceased's family. Widespread criticism ensued after the incident became public, leading to the mobile court's intervention.
Executive Magistrate Ishtiaq Ahmed said that the hospital was raided upon learning about the mother's death. Under the Consumer Protection Act, the facility was fined Tk1 lakh for lacking proper documents and deceiving patients in the name of service. Additionally, the hospital has been ordered to remain closed until further instructions.
Gopalganj district Civil Surgeon Dr Mohammad Zillur Rahman said: "Upon inspecting the hospital, it was observed that its owner, Aslamuzzaman Kamal, personally performed anaesthesia and surgery. However, he could not produce any document authorizing him to perform such surgery. The matter involves fraud. He was not sentenced to prison on humanitarian grounds. He has been fined Tk1 lakh, and the clinic has been temporarily closed."
"On the same day, another institution called Jahanara Seba Clinic in the same area complained of the absence of a duty doctor, an insufficient number of nurses, and the appointment of fake doctors. Its authorities were fined Tk30,000 on this charge," he added.
