The allegations of operating hospitals, clinics and
diagnostic centers without approval and licenses in various upazilas of
Chittagong are not new. For several years, raids have been conducted against
these institutions, some of which have been closed, some have been sealed, and
some institutions have been ordered to update their documents. However, there
are allegations that some institutions have reopened despite raids and
measures.
This raises questions about the safety of patients seeking
treatment. Because, in addition to having a valid permit for a healthcare
institution, it is important to have the necessary doctors and trained
manpower, infrastructure, medical equipment, infection control and emergency
medical services. If these are lacking, the patient’s life can be at risk.
Analyzing the information from government raids conducted
in Anwara, Karnaphuli and Banshkhali in Chittagong in the last few years, a
picture of the matter is available.
Four institutions in Anwara did not have licenses, In 2024,
action was taken against eight private clinics and diagnostic centers in the
Anwara drive of the Health Department. According to the report of the
operation, the Surya Hasi Network Clinic of Barshat Union, the Doctors Point
Diagnostic Center of Mahalakhan Bazar, the Amin Specialized Hospital of Chatri
Chaumuhani Bazar, and the Anwara Mother and Child Hospital did not have
licenses.
In addition, information was obtained during the operation
that the licenses of The LabAid Diagnostic Center and Star Clinical Lab of
Chatri Chaumuhani Bazar were not updated. The report at that time mentioned
that the people concerned of the Chayapath Clinic and Touch Care Diagnostic
Center of Mahalakhan Bazar closed the institutions after receiving the news of
the operation.
Earlier in 2020, an operation was conducted against
several institutions in Anwara on charges of irregularities related to approval
and licensing. As a result, despite such allegations in the same upazila for
several years, there are questions about the current status of these
institutions.
Treatment in that hospital in Karnaphuli even after closure,
The issue surrounding the Shikalbaha Mother and Child Hospital in Karnaphuli
has raised more questions. The then Upazila Health Department had stated that
the institution was closed down in March 2024 due to lack of a license.
But in January 2026, allegations of medical negligence
were raised in the same institution over the death of a newborn. In this
incident, relatives vandalized the hospital.
So, it is important to know the answer to the question of
how the institution, which was closed down due to lack of a license, later
resumed operations. The current status of the institution’s license and
approval also needs to be clarified from the concerned authorities.
Repeated raids in Banshkhali There have been multiple raids
against unlicensed healthcare institutions in Banshkhali as well.
The then report mentioned that on August 29, 2022, Unique
Diagnostic Center, Mini Lab, Ma-Moni Diagnostic Center, Modern Diagnostic
Center, National Hospital (Pvt.) Limited and General Hospital Chambal were
closed down due to lack of a license.
Then, in February 2024, another raid was conducted in
Banshkhali. Information was received that some institutions were unable to show
their licenses and that there were no medical technologists anywhere. The
operation also caught the issue of keeping vegetables and medicines together in
the refrigerator of the lab of one institution.
Not only the old operation, but also in December 2025, a
report was published on allegations of operating unlicensed hospitals and
diagnostic centers in different areas of Banshkhali. The report revealed such
institutions in different areas including Puichhari, Naporha, Jaldi, Kalipur,
Bailchari, Chambal and Chandpur.
Where is the monitoring after the operation? Whether the
institutions were closed after the government operation, whether they were
reopened, or whether they later obtained a valid license—whether this
information is being updated regularly is now the big question.
Because simply closing an institution by conducting an
operation does not permanently solve the problem. If the activities of that
institution are not monitored in the future, there is a chance that medical
services will be started again in the same place.
The number of private healthcare institutions is
increasing, especially in areas where industrialization and population are
increasing rapidly, such as Anwara and Karnaphuli. It is important to regularly
verify the approval and capacity of these institutions.
Concerns about patient safety The biggest risk in receiving
treatment at unlicensed institutions is patient safety. Even general treatment
can become complicated if there is a lack of necessary equipment, a shortage of
trained manpower, weakness in infection control, or no emergency medical
treatment system.
The risk is even higher in surgery, maternity care,
anesthesia, and emergency treatment. Before providing these services, it is
necessary to verify the approval, doctors, manpower, and infrastructure of the
relevant institution.
Demand for publication of an updated list Aware citizens
demand that an updated upazila-based list of all private hospitals, clinics,
and diagnostic centers in Chittagong district be published.
There needs to be a system for the public to easily verify
which institutions have valid licenses, which have expired, which are awaiting
renewal, and which institutions have been ordered to close.
This will allow patients to be sure about the legitimacy
of the institution before seeking treatment.
Attempts were made to contact the Civil Surgeon of
Chittagong over the phone to find out the actual number of unlicensed hospitals
and clinics in Chittagong, how many institutions have not had their licenses
renewed, and how many institutions have been ordered to close in the past few
years. However, he did not pick up the phone.
As a result, his statement on the matter could not be
obtained. According to the concerned officials of the Health Department, the
approval and licensing of private healthcare institutions should be subject to
regular verification. However, there are questions about the extent of such
supervision at the field level.
It is important to investigate the allegations of
unlicensed institutions operating in the name of healthcare in Chittagong and
to verify whether any institution is operating illegally even after the raids.
Because even a minor irregularity in medical services can cost a patient their
life.
