SHARIATPUR, May 17 (UNB): A case has been filed over the assault on a doctor and vandalism at the emergency department of Shariatpur Sadar Hospital following the death of a patient undergoing treatment there.
Dr Akram Elahi of the hospital filed the case at Palang Model Police Station on Saturday evening against 11 named individuals and 50 unidentified ones, said its Officer-in-Charge Shah Alam.
So far, six accused have been arrested, and efforts are underway to arrest the others, he said.
Five of the arrested were identified as Solaiman Qazi alias Al-Amin, Jasim Qazi, Abdul Jalil Qazi, Rabiul Qazi and Zayeda Begum.
According to police and hospital sources, Lal Mia Kazi, 50, from the Uttar Bilashkhan area of Shariatpur municipality, was taken to the hospital's emergency department with chest pain around 10:00pm on Friday.
Doctors provided primary treatment, but he died around 12:30am on Saturday while undergoing treatment.
Following his death, relatives got agitated, alleging that the doctor arrived late. At one stage, they attacked and vandalised the emergency department.
The doctor on duty, Md Nasir Islam, along with Ansar members Sohel Sardar, Kamrul, Azizul Haque and Kawsar, were injured in the attack. Nasir Islam, who was seriously injured, was later sent to Dhaka by air ambulance.
CCTV footage from the hospital showed 20-25 people beating and dragging Nasir Islam out of the emergency room. Panic spread across the hospital premises before police brought the situation under control. Civil Surgeon Dr Md Rehan Uddin said a four-member investigation committee had been formed, which had been asked to submit its report within five working days. Deputy Commissioner Tahsina Begum described the attack on the hospital and doctors as "very sad" and said strict action will be taken against those involved.
Shariatpur-1 MP Sayeed Ahmed Aslam said attacks on healthcare facilities were unacceptable and that none of those involved will be spared.
