Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) officials posing as patients conducted a surprise raid at the Kushtia 250-bed General Hospital on Wednesday, uncovering widespread irregularities including bribery for death certificates and patient harassment.

Led by ACC Deputy Assistant Director Suraiya Sultana, the secret enforcement team arrived at the hospital around 11:30 a.m. and spent nearly two hours monitoring various wards, the pathology and ultrasonography departments, and the kitchen. They departed around 2pm.

"We received numerous complaints regarding overall mismanagement, harassment of patients, and brokers taking bribes to move patients up the serial list," Sultana said. "But the most serious allegation we confirmed was the issuance of death certificates in exchange for money."

During the drive, two ACC members secretly observed the hospital's operations firsthand. Sultana said that ACC drives are strictly confidential; even the participating officers were unaware of their destination until they boarded their vehicle.

The team also found issues with cleanliness, poor food quality and nurses behaving rudely. Hospital authorities attributed the cleanliness issues to a severe staff shortage but promised to take immediate corrective action.

A detailed report on the findings will be submitted to the commission for further action, Sultana added.

Meanwhile, the hospital’s Deputy Director Dr. H.M. Anwarul Islam said the raid was completely unexpected and the ACC has not yet shared its detailed findings with his office.