Irregularities, corruption, and negligence of duty in Bangladesh’s public hospitals and healthcare institutions appear to be spiraling out of control. Recent complaints and investigations by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) have revealed alarming instances of malpractice across the country.The issue came under renewed public scrutiny following allegations of inhumane torture of a university student, Ratul Chowdhury, at Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) while he was there seeking treatment for his mother.

In a social media post that went viral on October 9, Ratul alleged that after he reported irregularities to hospital authorities, members of the Ansar force forcibly dragged him away, beat him indiscriminately with sticks and rods, stripped him naked, and left him unconscious. His mother reportedly screamed for help outside the administrative building, but hospital officials denied Ratul was inside and claimed he had been killed in a mob attack.

The Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP), however, denied the allegations, stating that a scuffle had broken out in the cancer ward due to overcrowding and that the situation was quickly brought under control. Two individuals were handed over to Shahbagh Police Station, the Ansar’s statement added.

ACC Finds Alarming Irregularities Nationwide

The BMU incident is not an isolated case. Between January and October 2025, the ACC conducted operations and covert investigations at 68 government hospitals and health complexes across 41 districts, uncovering severe irregularities and corruption.

The findings include:

• Insufficient and substandard food for patients

• Denial of free medicines, forcing patients to buy from outside

• Absence of doctors during duty hours

• Irregularities in procurement and recruitment

• Negligence and bribery

• Unhygienic environments and use of expired medicines

In Netrokona’s Kolmakanda Upazila Health Complex, the ACC found that patients were being served only 50 grams of fish instead of the 200 grams prescribed in the hospital diet chart.

At Maheshpur Upazila Health Complex in Jhenaidah, only four doctors were on duty against 20 sanctioned posts. The hospital generator was out of order, and C-section procedures had been halted due to the absence of anesthetists and gynecologists.

In Naogaon’s Mohadevpur Health Complex, the hospital was found in an unhygienic condition with unusable washrooms. Doctors were not attending on time, and irregularities were detected in the distribution of medicines.

Patients at Kaliakoir Upazila Health Complex in Gazipur alleged that doctors routinely refuse to give government-supplied medicines, directing them instead to private pharmacies from which they receive commissions.

Similar irregularities were found in Jessore, Kishoreganj, Madaripur, and Rajshahi. At Paba Upazila Health Complex in Rajshahi, diagnostic fees were collected using handwritten receipts and embezzled instead of being deposited into the government treasury.

Irregularities in Projects Too — 50 Officials Punished

According to ACC sources, investigations are also underway into irregularities in a Tk 334-crore project under the Department of Public Health Engineering, as well as projects establishing dialysis units at 15 medical colleges and 44 districts. Operations have already been carried out in Rangamati, Jhenaidah, and Jessore.

In the past nine months, around 50 doctors, officials, and employees have faced departmental action or dismissal over corruption and negligence, the ACC confirmed.

ACC Deputy Director Md. Akhtarul Islam said, “After the enforcement team submits its findings, actions are taken according to law and regulations.”