A syndicate is pocketing millions of money through unnecessary health tests for aspiring migrant workers to Middle Eastern countries.
According to sources, the powerful syndicate, who control most of the medical centers in Bangladesh, is looting crores of money in the name of health check-ups of thousands of physically unfit and sick aspiring migrant workers to the Middle East.
The syndicate of seven members from Bangladesh and India is reportedly siphoning off nearly Tk 2,500 crore annually through fraudulent health tests.
Despite Middle Eastern countries like Saudi Arabia hiring between 500,000 to 700,000 workers from Bangladesh annually, it is alleged that health check-ups are being conducted for at least 2.5 million people.
The syndicate is looting the pockets of poor people by charging for unnecessary medical tests under the guise of visa facilitation. They managed to convince officials of some agencies concerned to approve a disproportionately large number of medical centers in Bangladesh.
Since its inception in 1999, the Gulf Health Council had initially approved 26 centers in Bangladesh for conducting health tests of migrant workers. By 2018, the number had increased to 63, and by 2022, it reached 133 centers.
In contrast, neighbouring India has only 122 such centers, Pakistan has 68, and Indonesia has a mere 23 centers. This unreasonably high number in Bangladesh, sources claimed that it is due to a concerted effort to financially exploit the country’s impoverished population.
It is further alleged that medical centers in Bangladesh are charging migrant workers large sums for unnecessary health exams, despite many workers being physically unfit for the job.
These charges amount to millions of dollars, which are reportedly sent abroad via informal money transfer systems like ‘hundi’.
The syndicate was formed with the blessings former Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal (Lotus Kamal), former MP BH Haroon and former MP Dr HBM Iqbal.
Jahangir Alam, former president of Gampkar (Gulf Agency for Medical and Labor Consultancy), former vice-president Nazrul Islam, and ZU Saeed developed the syndicate.
The Indian members of the syndicate, who are said to be involved in the operation, include Shibamkar Bolraj Mishra, Rajesh Tiwari, Viran Tiwari, and Bipin Jain.
These individuals in collaboration with officials of agency concerned have been manipulating the system to get excessive medical centers approved in Bangladesh, in exchange for hefty bribes.
In 2022 alone, the syndicate managed to get approval for around 70 new medical centers in the capital and across the country. Of the total 133 medical centers, it is alleged that nearly 100 of them are under the syndicate’s control.
The total amount of bribes taken for these approvals is believed to be in the millions of dollars, and much of the money is allegedly funneled abroad through ‘hundi’ networks.
The syndicate is also accused of influencing the approval of centers linked to Indian nationals, who are reported to own 22 such centers in Bangladesh.
Notably, three institutions—Al Bustan Medical Center, Mohammadi Healthcare System, and Sarvoshrestha Medical Center—are said to have been unlawfully approved, despite protests from local trade organisations like the Bangladesh Association of Gulf Medical Centers.
When the organisation raised objections, the syndicate allegedly used its influence to shut down the opposing entity.
Migrant workers who underwent health checks at these centers are reportedly paying around Tk 10,000 each for the tests, which, even when problems are detected, still result in falsely positive reports, allowing them to secure visas for the Gulf.
However, when these workers arrive in the Middle East, they fail the real health checks there, leading to their deportation and financial ruin.
Many workers, disillusioned and destitute, are now calling for an end to the excessive approval of new medical centers, demanding that the government take action against the seven-member syndicate responsible for the exploitation.
