To ensure quality treatment for cardiac patients, the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) was established in 1978 at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka. It is the largest and only government-run specialized hospital for heart patients in the country. Every day, thousands of patients from different parts of Bangladesh come here seeking treatment—most of them from low- and middle-income families.However, the hospital’s environment has recently deteriorated due to the widespread influence of brokers (dalals) and thieves, leaving patients, their families, and even doctors deeply distressed.
Broker Syndicate Thrives Inside the Hospital
Right after patients buy tickets at the outpatient department, brokers surround them. Some lure patients by saying, “This ticket will get you an intern doctor, but if you come with me, I’ll take you to a professor for free.”
Such scenes are common at the hospital. Brokers convince patients to go to private clinics or diagnostic centers with promises of “lower costs” or “faster results.” Once there, patients are charged exorbitant amounts for unnecessary tests and services.
When this reporter visited the hospital, several brokers became suspicious and started questioning him aggressively:
“Who are you? Why are you here? Why are you talking to patients and disrupting our work?” They surrounded the reporter while asking these questions.
One broker named Rashed admitted that he works for Advance Diagnostic Center. Two others, Ripon and Auwal, said they take patients from the NICVD to other facilities for “cheaper” treatment. They claimed they don’t force anyone—just “convince” them to go elsewhere.
When asked which doctor he refers patients to, Ripon replied, “Dr. Azizul sits at a place called Zenic. He also sees patients officially, with no extra fees.”
According to hospital administration sources, brokers from several private clinics and diagnostic centers—including Prime, Peoples, Oitijjhya, Advance, Adhunik, Sandhi, and Vital—frequently operate around the hospital. They lure patients away and extort large sums of money in the name of tests and consultations.
Theft Adds to the Hospital’s Misery
Alongside brokers, theft has become another major concern at the hospital. On the night of October 11, miscreants cut and stole copper wires from four air conditioning units in the hospital’s Cath Lab, disrupting its operation the following day. Such incidents occur repeatedly, with reports of stolen medical equipment and even personal belongings of doctors and patients.
Due to these recurring thefts, the hospital’s director, Professor Dr. Abdul Wadud Chowdhury, sent a letter on September 13 to the Commanding Officer of RAB-2, seeking assistance.
In the letter, he wrote:
“The National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases has earned the trust of people across the country. However, poor patients are being victimized by brokers and thieves who rob them of everything. We need RAB’s support to control these syndicates operating in the emergency and outpatient departments.”
Hospital Administration Speaks Out
When asked about the situation, Professor Dr. Abdul Wadud Chowdhury, Director of the NICVD, referred the matter to the hospital’s Assistant Director, Dr. Mejbah Uddin Ahmed.
Dr. Mejbah said:
“A patient once came to me after being told he would be seen for free. Later, the brokers took him for tests and charged him 3,000 taka. That was all the money he had. Such complaints are extremely common.”
He added:
“When I arrive at the hospital in the morning, the brokers scatter as soon as they see me. We’re trying different methods to stop this. We’ve lodged complaints with the police and officially informed both RAB and the army.”
Mandatory ID Cards to Curb Illegal Activity
To curb the broker problem, the hospital authority issued an official order on October 6, requiring all employees to wear visible ID cards while on duty. Those who have official uniforms must wear their ID cards on top of them.
In addition, hospital sources said they are considering establishing security checkpoints at entry gates and restricting access without entry passes to prevent brokers and outsiders from roaming freely inside the hospital.