Nurses’ overseas training faces allegations of graft

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Dipu Sarwar
Published : 06:00, May 24, 2019 | Updated : 00:17, May 25, 2019

It’s alleged that in the name of sending nurses abroad for training, Tk 300,000 to Tk 350,000 has been taken from each nurse. FILE PHOTOTo take training on seven subjects, 140 nurses are going to Thailand and Indonesia this month while another 54 nurses will be going to Saudi Arabia with the Hajj mission medical team.
However, the standing complaint is that some officials of the ministry of family planning are sending nurses without taking age, seniority and skills into consideration.
Those going abroad for training have not been recommended by the nursing or midwifery departments.
It’s believed that the breach of system has been done by Md Wahedur Rahman, personal secretary to the minister of health and family welfare, Zahid Maleque.
Reportedly, he has a clique with assistant director of the nursing and midwifery department, Shirina Akhter, and duplicating machine operator, Enamul Huq.
There are allegations against Wahedur for unlawfully interfering with the appointment of nurses, promotions and transfers.
It’s alleged that in the name of sending nurses abroad for training, Tk 300,000 to Tk 350,000 has been taken from each nurse. As a result, the deserving candidates were deprived.
Director of Nursing and Midwifery department, Shirin Delhura, says: “The department has no idea about the ones sent abroad for training.”
The Bangladesh Nursing Association, BNA, is vocal against the unlawful nexus and a complaint has been made to the minister for health and family welfare on Apr 3.

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