15 Years of Device-Based Diagnosis, Tk 50,000 Fine

A man in Barishal’s Babuganj has been fined Tk 50,000 for allegedly treating patients for nearly 15 years without valid medical qualifications. Alimul Islam, 48, reportedly claimed to diagnose diseases using a laptop and specialized devices. A mobile court seized his medical equipment and related documents during a raid. Officials from the local administration and health department said the documents he presented were found to be fake during verification.

The fine was imposed during a raid at NMS Pharmacy in the College Gate area of Babuganj upazila at around 8:30 pm on Sunday, October 18.

Patient Raises Questions About Credentials

According to available information, Saleha Begum sought treatment from Alimul Islam for eye problems and headaches. An intermediary had told her that a doctor near College Gate in Babuganj used specialized devices to diagnose and treat various illnesses.

Based on that information, she visited him for treatment. She later learned that serious questions had arisen about the qualifications and certificates of the man seeing patients as a doctor.

Alleged Practice Across Three Areas

According to allegations cited by the administration, Alimul Islam had been seeing patients for years in different parts of Barishal Sadar, Uzirpur and Babuganj. He reportedly claimed to diagnose diseases using a laptop and specialized devices. He also regularly saw patients at Madhabpasha Bazar and near Babuganj Degree College Gate.

He used the title “Dr” before his name on prescriptions. The documents also listed MBHEH (India), DMF (Dhaka), and training at NRS Medical College in Kolkata.

He additionally claimed experience in treating diseases related to medicine, dermatology, sexual health and allergies.

However, Alimul Islam could not provide valid documents to support these qualifications. Officials from the upazila health department verified the papers he presented and identified them as fake.

First Fine of Tk 50,000

Babuganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Asma Ul Husna said an operation was conducted after allegations that a man was providing medical services while posing as a doctor.

Although Alimul Islam used a doctor’s title before his name on prescriptions, he could not produce valid documents proving his qualifications.

She added that Alimul Islam admitted to seeing patients in this manner for nearly 15 years. He was fined Tk 50,000 for the first time. He was spared imprisonment on the condition that he would not engage in any medical activities in the future.

The authorities seized the medical devices he used and related documents during the operation.

According to his national identity card, Alimul Islam is the son of Abdul Ali Howlader, a resident of Baherghat in Uzirpur upazila, Barishal.
//DBTech/LRJN/SMP/DPO//