Hospital Superintendent Suspended Over Misconduct Allegation

The superintendent of Barguna General Hospital has been temporarily suspended after a female doctor accused him of making an inappropriate proposal and engaging in improper conduct. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has also initiated departmental proceedings against the official, citing the seriousness of the allegations and the need to ensure an impartial investigation.

The suspension became public on Thursday night following the issuance of an official government notification. According to the order, the decision had been approved a day earlier through a notification signed by Md Kamruzzaman Chowdhury, Secretary of the Health Services Division under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The notification states that a female doctor joined Barguna General Hospital in June this year. After her appointment, the hospital superintendent, Dr Rezwanur Alam, allegedly summoned her to his office on multiple occasions without any professional justification. During those meetings, he is accused of making inappropriate proposals and using indecent gestures towards the doctor.

The government order explains that the suspension has been imposed under Section 39(1) of the Government Service Act, 2018. The provision allows the government or the appointing authority to temporarily relieve a public servant of official duties if departmental proceedings have been proposed or initiated and the nature of the allegations warrants such action. In this case, the authorities concluded that allowing the accused official to remain in office during the inquiry could create the risk of influencing or obstructing the investigation.

The female doctor who filed the complaint welcomed the action taken by the Health Services Division, describing it as an important step towards ensuring accountability in the workplace. She said the decision sends a strong message that professional conduct and mutual respect must be maintained by everyone, regardless of rank or position. According to her, departmental proceedings will continue in accordance with established rules and procedures, and the outcome will depend entirely on the findings of the investigation rather than on individual influence.

When contacted for his response, Dr Rezwanur Alam declined to comment on the allegations. He told Prothom Alo that he did not wish to make any statement on the matter.

Temporary suspension is an administrative measure rather than a disciplinary penalty. It is commonly used in the Bangladeshi civil service when an official faces serious allegations that require a formal inquiry. The purpose is to protect the integrity of the investigation by preventing any potential interference while due process is followed. The departmental inquiry will now determine whether the allegations are substantiated and what further administrative action, if any, should be taken in accordance with the applicable laws and government regulations.