Doctor assaulted, Shariatpur hospital vandalised after patient's death

A doctor was assaulted and the emergency department of Shariatpur Sadar Hospital was vandalised today (16 May) following the death of a patient at the hospital.

Dr Nasir Islam sustained head injuries in the attack and was later rescued by police before being sent to Dhaka by air ambulance for advanced treatment.

Superintendent of Police Rownak Jahan described the attack on the doctor as "highly condemnable" and said legal action will be taken against those involved after analysing CCTV footage.

Hospital sources said Lal Mia Kazi, a resident of the North Bilashkhan area under Shariatpur municipality, was admitted to the emergency department of Shariatpur Sadar Hospital with chest pain around 10pm last night.

After receiving primary treatment, his condition deteriorated and he died around 12:30am.

Following the death, relatives of the patient allegedly vandalised the emergency department accusing doctors of negligence in treatment and attacked duty doctor Nasir Islam.

Duty doctor Nasir Islam, who sustained serious head injuries in an assault following the death of a patient at Shariatpur Sadar Hospital. Photo: TBS

CCTV footage from the hospital shows a group of people chasing and assaulting the doctor before dragging him outside the hospital premises.

Police have so far arrested one person, identified as Al Amin, over the incident and said drives are underway to identify and arrest the others involved.

Resident Medical Officer Mitu Akter said the patient had been referred to Dhaka, but relatives did not transfer him there. He later died while undergoing treatment, she added.

She said the matter has already been reported to the Directorate General of Health Services and that legal action will be taken.

Shariatpur-1 MP Saeed Ahmed, Deputy Commissioner Tahsina Begum and senior police officers visited the scene, with the lawmaker saying that an investigation committee will be formed and action taken against those responsible.