Clash, rival complaints at Islami Bank Hospital over 13-year-old's death

The family of a 13-year-old girl and the authorities of Islami Bank Hospital in Dhaka's Motijheel have both filed complaints with police after a clash at the hospital on Sunday night. The family alleges medical negligence over her death. The hospital denies it.

Both complaints were lodged with Shahjahanpur Police Station. Neither had been recorded as a case as of Monday morning. Station chief Amirul Islam said police are examining both and will decide after consulting the deputy commissioner.

The girl was taken to the hospital with severe abdominal pain on Friday evening. An ultrasound, advised by an emergency department doctor, found that her appendix had ruptured. Preparations for surgery began, but she died on Saturday morning before she could be taken to the operating theatre.

Relatives allege she died because doctors failed to operate in time. The hospital says she was already in critical condition when she arrived.

Abul Kalam Azad, an administrative officer at the hospital, said the girl died while being taken to the ward.

He said relatives took the body for burial, then returned and demanded Tk 1 million in compensation. He said they were advised to have another doctor review the medical records or to pursue legal action. He alleged they kept demanding money and prevented doctors and staff from leaving.

Abul Kalam said he arrived for the night shift at around 10pm on Sunday and asked the group to move away from the emergency department. He alleged they attacked him, then went to the second floor and caused extensive damage, including smashing glass. Police arrived and brought the situation under control.

He said the hospital had filed a "case". Police said both sides had lodged complaints and that no case had been recorded.

The girl's cousin Shahriar Sabuj rejected the allegation of a money demand as baseless. He alleged hospital employees assaulted the relatives first. He also alleged the hospital offered jobs and financial assistance to cover up negligence, and said the family has evidence. He called for the hospital's CCTV footage to be reviewed.

Sabuj denied invoking any political affiliation or having links to Jubo Dal. He said there is a deliberate attempt to give the incident a political dimension.

Abul Kalam denied that the hospital offered jobs to Sabuj or other family members.