Allegations of issuing wrong reports for the same blood samples for dengue tests have surfaced against a diagnostic centre in Khulna.
Relatives of patients gathered at Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH) on Thursday (Aug 15), protesting that Sandhani Diagnostic Centre has been giving wrong reports to the dengue patients of KMCH.
Shonadanga Model police in charge Momtazul Hoque said that two people have been brought to the police station over the allegations.
The relative of one patient said that his brother got tested for dengue on Aug 14 at KMCH and his platelet count was 140,000.
“The same test was carried out at Sandhani Diagnostic Centre the next day and the platelet count showed 17,000. A re-test showed a platelet count of 28,000,” said Afzal Hossai.
“How can the reports of the same diagnostic centre be different?”
KMCH Medicine Specialist Dr Shoilandranath Biswas says that the platelet count of a healthy individual is usually anywhere between 150,000 to 500,000.
“If anyone’s platelet count comes down to 17,000 then that person is in a critical condition,” he added and said that those patients are more prone to haemorrhage.
There have also been allegations that KMCH medicine unit doctors refer patients to Snadhani Diagnostic Centre for the commission they receive.
Doctors reportedly refuse to see the reports if the tests haven’t been carried out in the diagnostic centres recommended by them.
Sandhani Diagnostic Centre and Clinic assistant manager said that their staff Ashish Rai collects samples from KMCH patients and delivers the reports as well.
Police have detained Ashish Rai and his brother over the allegations of irregularities in the reports.
“The platelet count of some of our patients drop to 16,000, while the tests at KMCH show a count of 110,000,” he said.
“We called Dr Shukumar Shaha to clarify whether our reports are wrong and he suggested that the patient be tested elsewhere,” he added.
He said that Dr Shukumar Shaha who works at Abu Naser Specialised Hospital is the one who prepares their report.
The doctor didn’t pick up the phone when Bangla Tribune tried to reach him for comments.