- Various agencies grabbing money in name of medical tests
- Create false medical reports
- More money required
- Showing unfitness if extra money not paid
Economic base of the country is being strengthened by the money sent by expatriates. Along with that wealth is returning to their family. However, because of not being able to pay bribe, the dreams of hundreds of foreign travelers are broken every day in the name of medical tests. A medical test is required for expatriate workers when their visa is finalized. However, even if the visa of some countries in the Middle East is not confirmed, various agencies are grabbing more than crore of taka every day in the name of medical tests. However, the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment is not responsible for these matters. Apart from this, several victims have complained that even if they take complaints to the Directorate General of Health Services, they do not give much importance and there is no monitoring system.
Allegedly, the passports of workers going to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Malaysia were seized and mass health checks were conducted across the capital. Various agencies are extracting extra money from every expatriate worker for medical expenses. Intelligence officials believe that such fraud has increased recently. The members of intelligence agencies have reported to various departments to prevent these. Recently, several people who have been cheated in the name of medical tests have given this information. When asked about this, the Joint Secretary of the Monitoring and Enforcement Division (Additional Duties) of the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, Sajjad Hossain Bhuiya said, "If there is any specific complaint regarding the frauds committed by agencies and medical teams in the name of medical tests for expatriates, the matter will be dealt with by the concerned ministry. Legal action is taken.'Nadim Mohammad of Dhaka, who is going to Malaysia, said, "The broker took 8 thousand taka for a medical test before I got my visa. After getting the visa, I had to get tested again. I have done medical tests twice. Couldn't go to Malaysia yet. The broker says that my flight is on February 15. I don't know if I have to do the medical test again or not.
Rahul Hossain of Shalikha Upazila of Magura has got a Malaysian visa. He has been going abroad for almost a year. Due to not getting the right visa, he was in the clutches of brokers and underwent medical treatment three times. For this, he paid 8 thousand taka to the broker each time. He underwent various tests from a medical center in Motijheel.
Julhas Hossain underwent medical tests four times at 'The Allied Diagnostic Center' in Vatara the capital to go to Saudi Arabia. He said, that after the medical examination, his HIV-positive result came. He later reversed the results by paying through an agency to go faster. However, as Julhas, re-examined at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University and icddrb. The test came back HIV negative. Later he realizes that he has fallen into the agency's trap. Julhas said, 'There is a flight next March. I don't want to get into trouble with the agency for this.'
Victims complain that people sell their land and go out of the country to survive. But the brokers or agencies are taking away lakhs of rupees in the name of medical and are taking advantage of those who are going abroad. Some companies are trading illegally in the name of medical tests from foreigners. Those who cannot pay are marked as unfit by the agency. Those concerned say that although the wheels of the country's economy are in motion due to the remittances sent by expatriate workers, those going abroad have to face harassment, fraud, violence, and suffering from brokers.
According to the Ministry of Expatriate Welfare and Foreign Employment, medical checkups are mandatory for workers traveling abroad. Although there are many public and private medical centers in the country, only a handful of diagnostic centers conduct medical tests for those traveling abroad. As these medical or diagnostic centers are in the hands of the syndicate, there is no end to the suffering.
The GAMCA (Gulf Approved Medical Centers Association) is the coordinating body for medical centers approved for health screening of travelers in the Middle East. There are various allegations against the organization regarding violence by syndicates and brokers. Fraud, condition, or quality of service has not improved much.
Expatriates have to suffer and be harassed at every step of collecting medical fitness cards. A general medical examination costs Tk 1,000, but hospitals and diagnostic centers under Gamkar charge Tk 6,000 to 10,000. Apart from this, brokers have bakshish. Although there are several quality public and private hospitals and diagnostic centers in the country, 40 to 50 institutions are selected for the health examination of those traveling abroad.
If these tests are done at an outside diagnostic center, it may cost a maximum of Tk1 thousand to Tk1.5 thousand. However, the medical centers of GAMCA are cutting the pockets of the workers. And there are many complaints of showing unfitness if money is not paid.
As per the rules, it is mandatory to have both male and female doctors and technicians in each center. But women doctors and technicians are very few in these medical centers. Several medical visits in the Banani area have revealed this information.
According to intelligence sources, more than a hundred medical centers around Motijheel-Fakirapool are involved in such fraud.
There are various allegations against Al-Falah Medi-Com Clinic in Banani. A fitness card is not available without extra money here. While seeking service in that clinic, the truth of such complaints of the service seekers has also been found. Victims complain that women are being examined by male doctors. However, when asked about these complaints and regulations, the working doctors and owner authorities try to avoid them.
SKN Health Services is located in Kakrail. There are many complaints against this center. There are no women doctors and technicians. Apart from this, many people have to face problems for not giving fitness cards on time. Fakirapool, Paltan, Arambagh, etc., have numerous money-making institutions called medical centers around.
Meanwhile, there is a mountain of complaints against Al-Madinah Medical Services in Banani. When asked about these complaints, Mohammad Bashar, head of Al-Madina Medical Service, and a member of the Medical Center Association (GAMKA), said, "If the agency cheats a foreign passenger, then we have nothing to do." We are not concerned with the calculation of who tests how many times. However, if any of you who are going abroad have done a medical test before or have any problems, then we will take action in this matter by providing the name and address.
Inamul Haque Sagar, Superintendent of Police (Media and Public Relations) of the Police Headquarters said, "Police surveillance is continuing to prevent fraud in the name of medical tests of foreigners. Apart from this, if any of the victims make a specific complaint to the police about these issues, necessary legal measures are taken. Besides, I request that foreign travelers be careful about these matters. If necessary, they can take the assistance of the police in charge of the concerned area.
In this regard, the officials of the Department of Health say that action will be taken against those concerned. The directorate will identify those who are involved in such illegal activities and take action.
ARS
