A private hospital in Monohardi, Narsingdi was attacked, vandalized and looted following the death of a patient. The incident occurred on Friday evening, August 21 at Monohardi LabAid Eye & General Hospital located on the Bypass Road in the municipal town. Later the police and the upazila administration rushed to the spot, brought the situation under control and ordered the hospital to be temporarily shut down.
The deceased patient was identified as Aklima Begum 32. She was the wife of Kobir Hossain from Bir Maizdia area under Borochapa Union of Monohardi Upazila.
According to police and local sources, Aklima Begum was admitted to Monohardi LabAid Eye & General Hospital on Thursday afternoon, August 13 for gallbladder surgery. On Friday, August 14 at around 11:00 AM, Dr. Rahat Bin Kashem performed the surgery. Her condition deteriorated after the operation. After receiving treatment at the hospital for several days, she was taken to Dhaka on Wednesday, August 19 for advanced treatment. She later died around 2:00 AM on Friday, August 21 while undergoing treatment in the ICU at Popular Hospital in Dhaka.
After news of the patient’s death spread on social media, her relatives and an angry mob went to Monohardi LabAid Eye & General Hospital in the evening and carried out vandalism. Allegations were raised of vandalism and looting on three floors including the ground floor of the hospital. The protesters demanded justice for the doctor and closure of the hospital.
A relative of the deceased, Aklima Begum alleged, “She was admitted to the hospital after a tumor was found in her gallbladder. Her condition started deteriorating the day after Dr. Rahat Bin Kashem performed the surgery. She was kept in the hospital for several days and then sent to Dhaka on Wednesday. An investigation is needed to determine whether there was negligence or wrong treatment by the hospital authorities.”
However, Nasir the brother of the deceased, denied any involvement of the patient’s relatives in the vandalism. He said “We were busy with the patient’s treatment in Dhaka. We don’t know who vandalized the hospital.”
Kamal Hossain, Deputy Managing Director of the hospital said “The doctor who performed the surgery is experienced. The operation was done following due procedure. Later, as the patient needed ICU support, she was sent to Dhaka. After news of the patient’s death spread on Friday evening, some people suddenly attacked the hospital and vandalized and looted the doctor’s chamber, reception, lab and other important sections. Several on-duty staff members were also assaulted.”
Monohardi Police Station Officer-in-Charge Jahangir Badsha said, “Police rushed to the spot upon receiving news of the vandalism and brought the situation under control. No complaint has been filed yet regarding the patient’s death and the hospital vandalism. Legal action will be taken after investigation once a complaint is received.”
Assistant Commissioner, Monohardi, Md. Sajeb Mia said “To keep the situation under control, we went to the spot at night and ordered the hospital to be temporarily closed. Patients admitted to the hospital have been transferred to other hospitals.”
Meanwhile the Narsingdi Civil Surgeon Dr. Bulbul Kabir said a five-member investigation committee has been formed to probe the patient’s death and the hospital vandalism. “We inspected the hospital on Saturday afternoon. A five-member committee has been formed and asked to submit its report within seven working days” he said.
Officials said further action will be taken after receiving the investigation report regarding the actual cause of the patient’s death and whether there was any negligence or wrong treatment.
