A suspected member of a broker syndicate was detained by members of the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) at the National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital in Tejgaon, Dhaka.
Officials said a group of brokers had long been deceiving patients by luring them with promises of quick services and directing them to private hospitals and diagnostic centres for unnecessary expenses. To prevent such activities, Ansar members deployed at the hospital have been conducting regular monitoring and operations.
As part of this effort, at around 9:00 am on Monday, an individual identified as Md Siam, 24, allegedly tried to take a patient, Ayesha, 50, from Gazipur, to a private diagnostic centre outside the hospital by promising to arrange a quick pathology test. When the incident came to the attention of on-duty Ansar personnel, they immediately detained him. Platoon Commander (PC) Mohammad Hasan played a key role in the operation.
During preliminary questioning, Siam reportedly admitted his involvement in brokerage activities and provided a written undertaking not to engage in such activities in the future. He was later handed over to the hospital authorities.
Hospital officials praised the prompt action and professionalism of the Ansar members, stressing the need to continue such drives to keep the hospital premises free from brokers.
Members of the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party continue to remain vigilant at government hospitals across the country to ensure the safety of patients and their attendants and to prevent crimes including brokerage, theft, and other illegal activities.
