Pabna, Dec 11 (V7N) – Residents of Chatmohar upazila formed a human chain on Wednesday demanding the cancellation of the transfer order of Dr. Alamgir Hossain, widely known as the “doctor of the poor,” and his reinstatement at the Chatmohar Upazila Health Complex, where he has been serving. Locals also called for the removal of the Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer, Dr. Omar Faruk Bulbul, accusing him of irregularities, corruption, medical malpractice, and harassment of patients.
The demonstration was held at 10 a.m. in front of the main gate of the health complex under the banner of Sachetan Nagorik Samaj, with participation from people of various professions. During the protest, demonstrators briefly confined Pabna Civil Surgeon Dr. Abul Kalam Azad inside the health officer’s room when he arrived on official duty.
Speakers, including Asaduzzaman Lebu, Motaleb Hossain, Tanvir Jewel Likhan, Shaheen Hossain, Fulchand Hossain Shamim, Hasanuzzaman Sobuj, Faisal Kabir, Sajedur Rahman Sezan, Imran Hossain and Hasinur Rahman, alleged that emergency patients were often transferred to Pabna General Hospital or Rajshahi Medical College Hospital due to the lack of proper treatment at the upazila complex. They claimed in-patients also received inadequate care and that corruption, commercialized treatment, and administrative malpractice had become common within the facility.
Protesters said Dr. Alamgir Hossain had long been providing free treatment to poor and vulnerable patients. He avoided writing unnecessary diagnostic tests and was not part of any commission-based syndicate, earning him respect among locals. However, this reportedly created conflict with a group of doctors and diagnostic syndicates who felt threatened by his integrity, leading to his transfer to Sujanagar Hospital just a year after joining Chatmohar.
Speakers accused Upazila Health Officer Dr. Omar Faruk Bulbul of influencing Dr. Alamgir’s transfer, alleging that he had built a network of influence over several years and frequently harassed staff who did not comply with him. They further claimed he misused political connections and maintained administrative dominance even after the change of government.
Sensing public unrest, Dr. Bulbul reportedly left the hospital premises early in the day. Meanwhile, Civil Surgeon Dr. Abul Kalam Azad faced intense pressure from demonstrators. In response, he assured them that Dr. Alamgir would be reinstated at Chatmohar within three working days. He also pledged to submit a formal report against Dr. Bulbul to higher authorities and stated that the health officer would not be allowed to enter the Chatmohar facility temporarily.
In his statement, Dr. Omar Faruk Bulbul denied the allegations, saying he was not present at the hospital during the protest and had no involvement in Dr. Alamgir’s transfer. He insisted that the accusations against him were unfounded and that he performs only the duties assigned to him.
The residents warned that they would intensify their movement if their demands were not met promptly.
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