Law enforcement agencies have arrested 11 individuals on charges of brokerage during a raid at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). The operation was carried out at various locations within the hospital on Tuesday night (November 11).

Details of the Operation

Those detained are reportedly involved in illegally collecting money from patients and their attendants under the pretext of providing various services. The raid was conducted based on complaints lodged by hospital authorities.

A team of law enforcement personnel conducted the operation for approximately one hour, covering the emergency department, outpatient department, and other critical areas of the hospital. Suspects present within the hospital premises were interrogated, and those found to have evidence of brokerage activities were taken into custody.

Activities of the Brokerage Network

It has been alleged that an active brokerage network has long been operating at DMCH, extorting extra money from patients for services such as medical care, bed allocation, surgeries, and consultations with specialist doctors. Members of this network would roam inside and outside the hospital, deceiving ordinary patients and taking their money.

Although hospital authorities and law enforcement agencies have conducted similar raids on several previous occasions, the brokerage network reportedly became active again using new tactics. Legal proceedings are underway against those arrested in the latest operation.

Reactions and Next Steps

Hospital authorities have stated that their drive against patient harassment and brokerage will continue. Efforts are underway to extract information about other members of this network through interrogation of those detained.

Law enforcement officials have said preparations are underway to file cases against the detainees on charges of brokerage and fraud. Instructions have also been given to strengthen the hospital's security measures to ensure that patients seeking treatment are not subjected to any form of harassment.

Meanwhile, patients and their relatives, who have long suffered due to the presence of brokers at the hospital, have welcomed this operation. They have expressed hope that if such drives continue, ordinary people seeking treatment at the hospital will experience some relief.