Mongla, Dec 08 (V7N) – A mobile court in Mongla has fined Ratul Clinic for a series of alleged irregularities in its operations, including running without valid licenses and mandatory approvals.

Around 11 a.m. on Sunday, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and Executive Magistrate Sharmin Akter Sumi led an inspection drive at Ratul Clinic on Rabindranath Road in the municipal town. Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Md Shahin was also present. During the raid, officials said they found widespread non-compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

The mobile court imposed a fine of 5,000 taka on the clinic and issued a formal warning. The management has been given a deadline until 31 December to update and obtain all required documents, with authorities warning that further legal action will follow if the conditions are not met.

UNO and Executive Magistrate Sharmin Akter Sumi and Dr Md Shahin said Ratul Clinic has been operating for a long time without a renewed license, without any medical waste management agreement, and without narcotics permission or a drug licence. Because such key documents were missing, clinic owner Johra Khatun was fined, they said. Earlier, during a 20 November visit, the clinic had also been instructed to display a service price list, but that directive was reportedly not implemented.

Local residents allege that the clinic is involved in exploitative practices, particularly in maternity and surgery services. Residents Surjit Mondol and Monir Shikder said Ratul Clinic charges “exorbitant” and inconsistent fees from patients undergoing caesarean sections. “There is no fixed amount. They take 20,000 taka from some patients and 25,000–30,000 from others, depending on what they can manage to collect,” one of them claimed, adding that poor patients are being harassed and deceived and that there should be a standard, transparent fee for such procedures.

Local pharmacy owner Subra Mondol alleged that Ratul Clinic sells medicines regularly despite not having a drug licence. “This is clearly irregular. Some people must have a licence while others operate without one—that should not be allowed,” he said.

Another resident, Shafiqul Islam, said the clinic performs different types of operations but doctors are not always present on site, causing serious difficulties for admitted patients. He also alleged that the clinic charges extra for various diagnostic tests and that test reports are sometimes inaccurate, leading to frequent disputes between patients’ relatives and the clinic staff.

Locals further allege that Ratul Clinic has continued its activities despite these reported irregularities because its owner, Jahangir, frequently seeks political protection. They claim he previously ran the clinic under the patronage of influential Awami League leaders and, after 5 August, aligned himself with another political party, using shifting political affiliations to shield the clinic from stronger action.

Meanwhile, in a related development, the local administration on Friday sealed Rabbi Clinic on Madrasa Road in the municipal town following allegations of mismanagement and negligence. A pregnant woman died there on Friday afternoon, reportedly due to negligence by clinic authorities and attending doctors. After the death, officials raided the clinic and reported multiple irregularities.

On Saturday, a case was filed with the local police station against Rabbi Clinic owner Enamul Kabir and the doctors allegedly involved. Locals say several patients have previously died while receiving treatment at Rabbi Clinic, and multiple cases have been filed over the years. Even so, residents allege, the clinic continued to operate—similar to Ratul Clinic—by using political connections and frequently shifting political loyalties.

END/AHS/SMA/