The Rajshahi Metropolitan Chhatra Dal has demanded accountability from the authorities of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) over alleged irregularities, poor service, patient suffering and the activities of what it described as a syndicate controlling ambulance services.
The student wing submitted a nine-point memorandum to RMCH Director Brigadier General P K M Masud Ul Islam at around 11:30am on Wednesday, highlighting the problems faced by patients and their attendants.
The organisation said RMCH is a major healthcare facility for millions of people in Rajshahi and other northern districts. However, patients seeking treatment allegedly face prolonged waiting, inadequate services, poor management and harassment by brokers and ambulance operators.
According to the memorandum, patients at the hospital’s outpatient department often have to wait for long periods. The Chhatra Dal also alleged that some doctors and employees show reluctance to assist patients, while poor cleanliness, low-quality food and irregular ward rounds by doctors are adding to patients’ suffering.
The organisation also raised concerns over shortages of beds in important departments, including cardiology and stroke-related services, as well as shortages of some essential equipment in the emergency department.
It further questioned why some medical equipment has remained out of service for a long time despite the huge number of patients depending on the hospital.
Alleged ambulance syndicate
The memorandum gave particular emphasis to alleged irregularities in the hospital’s ambulance services.
The Chhatra Dal alleged that some ambulance operators charge patients excessive fares when they need to be transferred to other hospitals. It also alleged that patients are sometimes pressured to use particular ambulances and that attendants may face obstacles when attempting to arrange an ambulance from outside the hospital.
The student leaders said no patient should be forced to pay excessive charges or be subjected to harassment at a time of medical emergency. They called for a transparent ambulance system with a list of authorised vehicles and fixed fares.
Call for a broker-free hospital
The organisation also alleged that brokers are active around the hospital and called for effective measures to prevent patients from falling into the hands of intermediaries.
Among its nine demands, the Chhatra Dal called for a functional 24-hour complaint cell, expansion of outpatient services, regular ward rounds by doctors, stronger action against brokers and syndicates, improved cleanliness and sanitation, increased bed capacity in critical departments and enhanced specialised treatment facilities.
It also demanded that non-functional medical equipment be repaired promptly, CCTV surveillance be expanded and a transparent ambulance service be introduced through an app-based authorised system or fixed-fare arrangement.
The student leaders said their demands were aimed at protecting the interests of ordinary patients and ensuring their right to proper healthcare, rather than seeking any political advantage.
Receiving the memorandum, RMCH Director Brigadier General P K M Masud Ul Islam heard the concerns raised by the student leaders and assured them that the issues would be considered seriously and that necessary measures would be taken.
Rajshahi Metropolitan Chhatra Dal convener Rakib Raihan Robin, member secretary Imadul Haque Limon, senior joint convener Khalid Bin Walid Abir and leaders and activists from different educational institutions were present during the programme.
