Allegations of irregularities have surfaced over medical services and administrative management at Lalmohan Upazila Health Complex in Bhola. Dr. Abu Mahmud Talha Sadi, the Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer (UHFPO), has been accused of negligence in performing his duties, irregular attendance at the workplace, personal use of a government vehicle and irregularities in spending government allocations.

Patients and their relatives have also expressed dissatisfaction over the hospital’s cleanliness and the quality of medical services.

A witness named Nazim alleged that Dr. Sadi does not attend his workplace at the scheduled time. According to him, the UHFPO remains at the office only for a short period, from around 10 am until 12:30 pm, before leaving. He has also been accused of staying in another upazila instead of residing in the government residential quarters allocated to him. The correspondent said they had obtained several pieces of information and evidence concerning these allegations.

There are also allegations that the government vehicle assigned to the UHFPO is being used for personal purposes. His wife, physician Laboni Akter Tima, was allegedly seen using the vehicle to travel to a private hospital. Other allegations include spending office hours on personal matters and assigning personal tasks to subordinate employees. An employee of the health complex, speaking on condition of anonymity, also accused the official of drug use. This allegation has not been independently verified.

Questions have also been raised over the expenditure of Tk 150,000 allocated for the measles vaccination campaign. An anonymous physician alleged that, apart from announcements over loudspeakers, no other visible activities funded by the allocation had come to their attention.

However, when information was sought about the expenditure, including the relevant accounts, bills, vouchers and implementation records, the hospital authorities reportedly failed to provide the documents.

Recently, Speaker of Parliament and Bhola-3 MP Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed visited Lalmohan Upazila Health Complex. During the visit, he reportedly entered the UHFPO’s office and found him seated in his chair. The Speaker subsequently sat in a chair opposite him and spoke with him. However, no evidence has been confirmed linking this incident to any administrative irregularity.

Local residents have also complained about unhygienic conditions in various hospital wards, toilets and surrounding areas. They have raised questions about the regular attendance of the resident medical officer and the overall quality of healthcare services.

The complainants claim that administrative weaknesses and negligence are causing patients to suffer while seeking necessary medical care.

Lalmohan Upazila Health Complex is one of the principal public healthcare facilities serving the upazila’s population of approximately 300,000. Concerned residents have called for an investigation into the allegations regarding doctors’ attendance, the use of government vehicles, expenditure of public funds and hospital cleanliness, followed by appropriate action if irregularities are established.

Responding to the allegations, UHFPO Dr. Abu Mahmud Talha Sadi denied any wrongdoing.

“I attend the office in accordance with the rules. I remain outside for various meetings and official duties, but I arrive at the office by 10 am and leave after 1 pm, which is in accordance with the rules,” he said.

Questioning the allegation regarding his wife’s use of the government vehicle, he said, “Why would my wife use my vehicle? There is no evidence of this allegation. I stay at my house in Borhanuddin for personal reasons because the conditions here are not suitable for living in the residential quarters. Overall, the allegations against me are completely false and baseless.”

Bhola Civil Surgeon Dr. Md. Monirul Islam said he had learned about the allegations through the correspondent.

“I have taken note of the matter after learning about it from you. I will investigate it as soon as possible and take necessary action,” he said.