Irregularities cripple Mother and Children Welfare Centre

Though the Department of Family Planning established the centre at Gopalganj town aiming to provide local people of the district with various services, including family planning, consultation during pregnancy, safe delivery and service after the delivery, at free of cost, nothing is available without money there now. Patients alleged that Tk5 thousand to Tk8 thousand is taken for a caesarian delivery though it should be free of cost. Besides, they are also deprived of free medicines allotted for the patients. Though the government has fixed Tk10 per kilometre as ambulance charge, the patients have to spend extra money to avail the service. Shilpi Majumdar, who had gone through a caesarian delivery there, claimed that she had to give Tk5 thousand to Dr Udbhav Chandra Panday, medical officer (clinic) of the centre, for the surgery. “My husband had to go through lots of trouble to collect the amount, as his income is very low,” said Shilpi at Sachiadaha village in Terokhada upazila of adjacent district Khulna. Another patient named Shukhi Begum of Shankerpasha village at Kashiani upazila in Gopalganj said she had to give Tk8 thousand for her caesarian delivery. Besides, unhygienic atmosphere of the centre and bad odour from toilets made the expecting mothers sick, she said. Seeking anonymity, a staff of the organization said the government fund for the male patients, who do vasectomy there, was also swallowed by Dr Pandey, who is in the charge of the centre. Though there were two more doctors besides Dr Pandey at the centre, no allegations had been raised against them, said the staff. During office time, the physician is also available for hire by other clinics. Even, he uses the centre for his private practice, alleged several patients. He also does surgeries of male patients at the operation theatre of the centre illegally, they added. However, Dr Pandey refuted all the allegations raised against him. Sohel Parvez, deputy director of Gopalganj Family Planning Department, said if there was any irregularity at the centre, actions would be taken against the responsible persons after investigation.