Members of the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party detained an individual at the National Heart Institute and Hospital in the capital on allegations of attempting to lure a patient—who had come for medical treatment—to a private clinic or hospital outside the facility. He was subsequently handed over to the police for legal action. It was reported that around 8:20 AM on Tuesday, an individual named Md. Riaz Hossain (35) approached a patient seeking treatment at the National Heart Institute and Hospital—located under the jurisdiction of Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station in the DMP West Zone—and attempted to persuade them to seek care at a private facility outside the hospital by offering various inducements and assurances.

However, the patient realized the situation, refused to yield to the inducements, and immediately informed the Ansar members on duty. Upon receiving the information, a four-member Ansar team led by the hospital’s in-charge, PC Md. Aminul Haque, swiftly conducted an operation and detained the accused. During initial questioning following his detention, the individual admitted to being involved in touting activities. He revealed that he frequently attempted to divert patients and their relatives to private clinics or hospitals by promising easier access to medical services and lower costs for diagnostic tests.

The detained individual was subsequently handed over to the hospital authorities. After further questioning, the authorities handed him over to the police for legal action. The operation was carried out by PC Md. Aminul Haque, APC Jahirul Islam, and Ansar members Md. Habibur Rahman and Md. Aminul Islam. Hospital authorities expressed sincere gratitude to the Ansar members on duty for their prompt and courageous action in apprehending the accused and countering the touting ring.

There will be no leniency towards touts. The surveillance and active efforts of the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party members will continue to prevent fraud, harassment, or attempts to illegally extort money by exploiting the vulnerability of patients and their relatives seeking medical care at government hospitals. Service seekers are advised to remain vigilant if anyone within the hospital premises attempts to lure patients or their attendants away, or makes suspicious offers regarding medical treatment and diagnostic tests. If any such incident is observed, please immediately inform the on-duty Ansar personnel or the concerned authorities.