Private hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centres in Sylhet are operating without valid licences and, in many cases, without complying with basic rules and regulations. Some facilities began operations with licences but have continued providing medical services for years without renewing them.
The facilities have been accused of a range of irregularities, including conducting critical medical tests with unskilled staff, providing improper treatment, maintaining unhygienic and unsanitary environments and, in some cases, lacking essential life-support or oxygen backup systems. As a result, patients seeking treatment at these facilities are regularly exposed to serious health risks, including the risk of death during medical emergencies.
According to data from the health department and the Sylhet District Civil Surgeon’s Office, at least 35 hospitals and clinics across Sylhet district and the metropolitan area are currently operating illegally. Most of these facilities had obtained licences at some point but failed to renew them later. Some others allegedly never obtained the required licences at all.
Despite repeated instructions from the health authorities, many facilities have continued operating for years without renewing their licences.
The list of illegal hospitals and clinics provided by the divisional health director’s office includes Central Hospital in Chouhatta, Fair Health Hospital in Mirer Moydan, Lions Shishu Hospital on Mirbox Tula Road, Modern General Hospital in Subid Bazar, Arogya Poly Clinic in Modhushahid, Al-Amin General Hospital in Upashahar, Safeway Hospital in Mirzajangal, Niramoy Poly Clinic on Nawab Road, Delta Specialized Hospital in Mirboxtula, Metro Medicare Clinic in Lamabazar, Care Hospital in Kajitula, Surma Valley Hospital in Ambarkhana, Sylhet Fexo Centre in Shibganj and Sylhet Model Eye Hospital and Phaco Centre at Tuker Bazar Temukhi Point.
However, according to the Civil Surgeon’s Office, there may be many more illegally operated facilities beyond the 35 listed. Although the health department maintains records of facilities that have failed to renew their licences, it does not have a complete list of facilities operating without licences. As a result, some establishments have allegedly been able to continue their activities for years without coming under administrative scrutiny.
This time, however, the authorities have taken a tougher stance against such facilities. Joint operations are being conducted by the Civil Surgeon’s Office, the Directorate General of Health Services and the district administration. Facilities found violating regulations are being fined, while those with documentation problems are being given deadlines to rectify them. If they fail to produce the required documents within the stipulated period, the facilities are being sealed.
Sources said many facilities continue operating despite violating conditions imposed when their licences were issued and without paying renewal fees. Patients seeking treatment at such facilities have reportedly faced improper treatment and various forms of malpractice. Serious incidents occasionally occur over alleged medical negligence, followed by confrontations between hospital authorities and affected patients or their relatives. In some cases, however, the disputes are settled privately, after which the facilities eventually resume operations as before.
Recently, a joint task force of the Civil Surgeon’s Office and the health directorate conducted surprise inspections at several well-known healthcare facilities in Sylhet. The inspections uncovered various irregularities, including expired or unrenewed licences, unhygienic conditions and allegations of improper treatment. Several hospitals and diagnostic centres were fined and sealed during the drives.
As part of the ongoing crackdown on irregularities in the private healthcare sector, a mobile court led by Sylhet District Administration Executive Magistrate Sihab Bin Amin sealed DMT Safeway Hospital on July 20. A day earlier, on July 19, the facility had been fined Tk 5,000 over alleged irregularities.
Earlier, on June 3, a major mobile court operation was conducted in Darga Mohalla and areas around the shrine in Sylhet city through a joint initiative of the Civil Surgeon’s Office and the district administration.
During the operation, no valid government licence was found for Mahanagar Hospital in Darga Mohalla. Serious irregularities were also found in the quality of its services and overall management. The hospital was immediately fined Tk 155,000. Several other establishments were also fined during the drive. Pioneer Hospital and several diagnostic centres were issued strict warnings to operate in full compliance with regulations and licence conditions in the future.
Earlier, authorities conducted inspections at five major diagnostic centres in the Rikabibazar Stadium Market area over allegations that they were operating pathology laboratories without licences or with expired licences. The centres were Al-Amin Diagnostic Centre, Lab De Nova, Apollo Diagnostic Centre, Doctors Diagnostic Centre and Perfect Digital Lab. They were fined and sealed during the operation.
After learning about the administrative drive, officials of several other establishments, including The Medi Health Diagnostic Centre and Shahjalal Pathology Centre, reportedly locked their main gates and left because they lacked the necessary documents and legal authorisation. These facilities are now under special surveillance by the health department.
Health department sources said illegal and non-compliant healthcare facilities in Sylhet are putting patients at risk through three major types of violations.
First, several well-known hospitals had reportedly been operating for five to six years without renewing their licences.
Second, X-rays and sensitive pathology tests were allegedly being conducted by unskilled and inexperienced technicians without the supervision of registered or graduate doctors. This raises concerns that patients could receive incorrect reports and subsequently undergo inappropriate treatment.
Third, the operating theatres of many facilities were found to be extremely dirty and unhygienic. Some establishments also lack modern life-support equipment or adequate oxygen backup systems needed to save patients' lives during emergencies.
Sylhet Civil Surgeon Dr Mohammad Nasir Uddin said the crackdown on irregularities in the private healthcare sector would be intensified.
“Joint operations and mobile courts are being conducted to bring several hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centres operating outside the rules and regulations under the prescribed legal framework,” he said.
Asked about the legal status of illegally operated hospitals and diagnostic centres, he said all private healthcare facilities in Sylhet must maintain valid licences, ensure qualified staff and provide services in compliance with government regulations.
“No irregularity involving people's lives and health will be tolerated,” he said.
He added that the list of illegal facilities is being regularly updated because many establishments have paid fines, fulfilled government requirements and subsequently applied for licences again following administrative action.
The Civil Surgeon said the drives would continue in the future in the public interest to ensure the quality of healthcare services and prevent irregularities in medical treatment.
