Doctor's chamber shut amid ownership dispute at Max Hospital in Chapainawabganj, rival claims traded
The authorities of Max Hospital and Diagnostic Centre in Chapainawabganj have shut the chamber of orthopaedic surgeon Dr Ismail Hossain amid a dispute over the hospital's ownership. He was served a notice on Thursday (November 12) closing his chamber, over fears of a takeover of the hospital and allegations that he transferred shares in breach of the institution's constitution and discipline.
A day earlier, on Wednesday (November 11), Obaid Pathan, convenor of the Sadar upazila unit of the BNP, went to the hospital with a group of people and claimed ownership. The incident spread tension in the hospital area, and a tense situation prevailed there throughout Thursday.
Meanwhile, Dr Ismail Hossain was on Thursday removed from the post of vice-president of the district branch of the National Doctors Forum (NDF) on allegations of breaching organisational discipline and anti-organisational activities. In a notice signed by the branch president and general secretary, he was asked to explain in writing within seven days why he should not be permanently expelled.
Max Hospital and Diagnostic Centre chairman Dr Al Mamun said that under the hospital's constitution, shares cannot be sold or ownership transferred to an outsider without the authorities' permission. While several shareholders transferred their shares following the rules, Dr Ismail Hossain transferred his shares to a man named Robi without informing the authorities, he said. That man is then said to have sold the shares to Obaid Pathan. He described the transfers as completely illegal and irregular.
Dr Al Mamun said Obaid Pathan came to the hospital on Wednesday with 15 to 20 people and claimed ownership at the accounts section, demanding a list of all shareholders and the hospital's accounts. Besides Pathan, another 20 to 25 people are also claiming ownership, creating disorder at the hospital. The authorities decided to keep Dr Ismail's chamber closed until the ownership dispute is settled.
He said Robi and several of his associates had come to the hospital in the same way about a month ago and claimed ownership. A written complaint was then filed with Chapainawabganj Sadar Model Police Station; police investigated and filed a case, which is now pending in court. Legal action will also be taken over Wednesday's incident, he said.
BNP leader Obaid Pathan, however, said he recently bought hospital shares from a man named Robi. Having received allegations that a syndicate was embezzling money through irregularities and corruption at the hospital, he went there on Wednesday and asked the accounts section for a list of all owners. He plans to hold a general meeting of all shareholders to elect a managing director and chairman.
Pathan said he went there lawfully as a legitimate owner, not to seize the hospital, and alleged that Dr Ismail's chamber was closed completely illegally without any prior notice.
Dr Ismail Hossain said he currently holds no shares in the hospital, having transferred them long ago; the person he transferred them to later sold them to someone else. He claimed a faction closed his chamber out of personal vendetta, and he also questioned the legitimacy of the hospital's current chairman.
