JU medical centre chief confined, official sacked over medicine scandal

Leaders of Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (JUCSU) have confined the chief medical officer, Dr Shamsur Rahman, at the university's medical centre, raising five demands including addressing irregularities, improving healthcare services and infrastructure development. On the same day, the university administration suspended Deputy Registrar (Store) Md Noor-e-Kamal on charges of irregularities in medicine stock.

The JACSU leaders staged the programme at the medical centre around 1:30 pm on Thursday (July 23).

JACSU's Health Affairs Secretary Husne Mubarak said no satisfactory explanation had been provided regarding the allegations of irregularities and corruption against the chief medical officer. He was confined as a protest against the administration's long-standing negligence.

JACSU's five demands include—investigating irregularities at the medical centre and publishing a full report, upgrading it to a modern and comprehensive health centre, appointing sufficient specialist doctors and diploma nurses, improving ambulance and pathology services, and ensuring quality healthcare for approximately 20,000 students, teachers and employees.

They also warned that if the administration does not provide a specific assurance within the next 24 hours to implement the demands, they will lock the entire medical centre and halt healthcare services.

Regarding the matter, university Proctor Professor Dr A K M Rashidul Alam said a committee has already been formed to investigate the allegations of irregularities at the medical centre. The committee has been asked to submit a report within 15 working days. Necessary action will be taken against those found responsible.

Meanwhile, the university administration has temporarily suspended Deputy Registrar (Store) Md Noor-e-Kamal over allegations of irregularities in medicine stock. This was confirmed in an office order signed by Acting Registrar Dr A B M Azizur Rahman.

At the same time, a four-member investigation committee, headed by the university treasurer, has been formed to uncover the real cause of the incident, verify the facts and identify those responsible. The committee has been directed to submit a report within 15 working days.