Bagerhat, Sept 10 (V7N) – Relatives of patients at the Morelganj Upazila Health Complex have alleged that the emergency department has been collecting Tk 20 per admission, despite the official government fee being Tk 8. The patients reportedly do not receive receipts for the payments.
 
Humayun Kabir Khan Kalo, a relative of a patient from Barikhali village, said that when attempting to admit his brother-in-law, 26-year-old Md. Shahabuddin Fakir from Dhansagar village, Sub-Assistant Community Medical Officer Monika Mallik, in the presence of Medical Officer Dr. Rejoyana Mehezabin Barna, collected Tk 20 without issuing a receipt.
 
Hospital sources indicated that although a Tk 3 consultation ticket is issued in the morning, patients admitted to the emergency department are still being charged Tk 20. This practice effectively adds an extra 12 taka per patient, causing unrest within the hospital.
 
Several previous complaints have alleged that Monika Mallik has repeatedly taken additional money from patients under various pretexts. In response, she denied taking any money beyond the prescribed fee.
 
Medical Officer Dr. Ahad Nazmul Hasan stated that the extra collection is used to pay outsourced staff salaries. Meanwhile, Morelganj Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Mujahidul Islam said he is currently in Dhaka due to his son’s illness but confirmed that the official fee is Tk 8. He added that any irregular extra collection will be investigated, and appropriate action will be taken.
 
The incident has raised concerns about transparency and adherence to government health regulations in the emergency department of the Upazila Health Complex.
 
END/MPS/SMA/