Most of the patients are lured from Sirajganj Sadar Hospital, allegedly in connivance with a section of doctors there who maintain link with the clinics, sources.

The situation has not improved even after issuance of showcause notices on some of the doctors at the Sadar Hospital for negligence of duty, they said.

There are about 120 private clinics in the small town and most of those are run by junior doctors and nurses who are not properly trained.

The agents deployed at the general hospital have free access to any department and ward, often hampering normal activity, the sources said. Often, patients coming from rural areas are harassed by such agents.

Luring patient has become an occupation for many.

Rafique, an agent, said he gets Tk 150 to 250 from the clinic owner after a patient is admitted. "I earn Tk 3000 to Tk 4000 per month from different clinics. This is the only source of income to maintain my family", he said.

Another agent seeking anonymity said, "As doctors are involved in the process, I never consider it unethical".

When contacted, Residential Medical Officer (RMO) of the Sadar Hospital Dr. Abdul Awal said adequate measures have been taken to prevent agents from entering the hospital.

But some staff, who were not willing to be named, said agents are still active who enter the hospital premises in the guise of patients' attendants.

The clinics are doing good business taking the advantage of the sorry state of the Sadar Hospital having 100 beds which is too inadequate, the sources said.

Talking to this correspondent, Civil Surgeon Sirajganj AFM Nowsher Ali said action will be taken if any doctor is found negligent to duty.