Banker with Covid-19 symptoms dies in car after hospital denies treatment

A banker with coronavirus symptoms died in his private car after he was denied treatment at a government hospital in the port city of Chattogram on Monday, according to family members.

Jamsed Haider Chowdhury was the assistant vice-president of NCC Bank's Agrabad branch.

His brother Zia Haider said Jamsed was suffering from fever and breathing complication for the last few days. 

"He was taken to the Bangladesh Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases (BITID) on Monday as his condition was deteriorating. 

"But doctors there denied him treatment and suggested to take him to Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH). He died on the way to CMCH," said Zia.

BITID Director Dr MA Hassan Chowdhury said many patients come to the flu corner of the institute every day. "But we only allow Covid-19 patients and suggest that non-Covid-19 patients be taken to other hospitals." 

Hassan said the banker was possibly suffering from heart disease. 

"So, we suggested that he be taken to CMCH. The allegation that we denied him treatment is wrong," he added.

Kishalay Sen, manager of NCC Bank's Agrabad branch, said Jamsed was on leave for 10 days. 

"We were informed that he had died," he said, adding that he did not know the reason behind Jamsed's death. 

It will be known whether he died from coronavirus once the test result comes, said the manager. 

Chattogram Civil Surgeon Dr Sheikh Fazle Rabbi said, "We talked to Jamsed's family members and came to know that he had heart disease." 

"The family members said he had died of heart disease," added the civil surgeon.