Eight diagnostic centres and hospitals in Barishal city were fined a total of Tk 2.82 lakh during a joint drive on Tuesday for using expired reagents and operating without required licences.
The daylong drive was conducted in the Band Road area adjacent to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital, led by Deputy Director of the National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate Apurba Adhikari.
According to officials, the district office of the National Security Intelligence (NSI) first gathered confidential information about irregularities at several diagnostic labs. Based on the findings, authorities carried out long-term surveillance and, with approval from higher authorities, informed the consumer rights body, leading to the joint operation.
During the drive, Al-Aqsa Hospital and Diagnostic Centre was fined Tk 40,000, Health Aid Medical Services Tk 10,000, Nova Medical Services Tk 10,000 and Islamiya Digital Diagnostic Centre Tk 45,000.
Besides, Barishal City General Hospital was fined Tk 20,000, Gain Diagnostic and Physiotherapy Centre Tk 7,000, New Babylon Medical Services Tk 50,000 and Rongdhonu Diagnostic Centre Tk 1 lakh.
Officials from the NSI Barishal district office, along with personnel from the Consumer Rights Protection Directorate’s district and divisional offices and members of the city police reserve force, took part in the drive.