Kumudini Hospital sent Saturday a rejoinder to a news item that appeared in the FE in its issue on January 12, 2008 under the headline, 'Corruption overshadows glory of once famous Kumudini Hospital'. The news item was released by news agency, United News of Bangladesh (UNB). It was not a FE staffer item.
The rejoinder runs as follows:
"Kumudini Hospital has a respectable track record for about seven decades. It still is claimed to be one of the cleanest hospitals in the country. With all due respect, this is still one of the popular referral hospitals in the region, which was outlandishly ignored by the report. The hospital still does uphold its value of "providing free Medicare to the poor people" in several ways. The bed charge, three daily meals and doctor's fee are all free. Till 1993 Kumudini Hospital provided free medicine and all sorts of tests available in the hospital was done free of cost. But from 1994 the hospital started a new "Patients' Participation Programme". Under this programme the patients who can afford have to pay for their medicine and tests are covered. Here it also should be mentioned that the operation charges in Kumudini Hospital are maximum up to Tk 4,000.00 (Taka four thousand) only. For example, for any major operation the maximum cost is Tk 4,000.000.
"At the time of admission the patient has to buy an outdoor ticket for Tk 5.00 (Taka five) only and check at the outpatient department, where the Medical Officer of the outdoor advises the patient for the necessary treatment. The outdoor ticket is valid for six months.
"The Kumudini authority flatly denies the allegations that the medicine purchased from the pharmacy run by the employees' co-operative is higher than the MRP of the same medicine outside the facility. Not only was the allegation wrong but also outrageous to the extent of stating that patients 'have to pay double' than that what is printed on the carton. The authority does not see any harm in suggesting patients to buy the same medicine from the pharmaceutical owned by the Trust.
"The report has also alleged that during 1960-1990 the hospital remained crowded with different types of patients. Till date the outdoor and indoor patients assemble the premises of Kumudini Hospital and remain crowded. It is quite apparent that this report was created on the basis of very scanty information and lack of statistics from the hospital. Although the report claims that the hospital used to remain crowded receiving patients from across the country, 'even from the capital' the clause is not justified due to the fact that the capital itself has rapidly gone through significant development regarding infrastructure in the 1990s until to-date. There has been a mushrooming of healthcare facilities such as hospitals and clinics in every nook and corner of the capital. This is a probable cause of a decline of patients coming in from the capital.
"Service provided by interns has been criticised for mistreatment leading to death rates. It is to be mentioned here that the intern doctors are the integral part of the hospital. Many interns serve patients but it is always under the direct and close supervision of senior doctors. The rule applies to all hospitals attached with medical college.
"Quotes added for background information and substantiation mention someone claiming to have paid for four bags of blood of which only two were used. It is a baffling matter that with the Director of the hospital being present for all types of consultancy and reference, such a matter was not conveyed to him. There was not claim or complaint of any sort that may have been sought to if mentioned then and there. The other quote brings forward a serious allegation where the emergency doctor was sleeping instead of attending to a patient who finally succumbed to her condition. Such an allegation is downright shocking as it is quite impossible to have occurred.
"Nonetheless, the authority has been notified of such accusation and internal investigation is being carried out to make sure that such occurrences that consequently trigger such allegations do not take place again.
"The report as a whole has raised a lot of eyebrows, as the allegations are extremely serious but lack substantiation and the essence of authenticity. The report itself is downgrading with an addition of charges that seem completely out of tract. Whether Kumudini 'has lost most of its glory' is perhaps something that is better judged with better study and genuine reporting."
Kumudini Hospital clarifies position through rejoinder
FE Team | Published: January 20, 2008 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
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