Patient deaths in hospitals increase alarmingly: HRC chairman

National Human Rights Commission (HRC) Chairman Dr Kamal Uddin Ahmed has commented that the death of patients in various hospitals in the country has increased at an alarming rate due to wrong treatment, negligence and carelessness of professionals concerned.

In a statement sent to the media on Saturday (February 24), he said, “The Human Rights Commission is expressing extreme anger over the death of children at recent times while undergoing circumcision in various hospitals of the capital. On February 20, 10-year-old Ahnaf Tahmid was given excessive general anesthesia instead of anesthesia at the prescribed place when he went for circumcision at JS Hospital in Malibagh in the capital. His family alleged that the child died due to this negligence. A few days ago, another child Ayan died while undergoing circumcision at United Hospital in the capital.”

Dr Ahmed said, “On January 16, Meghla, a pregnant woman, was admitted to the unlicensed Sundarban Hospital and Diagnostic Centre in Bamna in Barguna. At 6:30pm, five-six people including the inexperienced resident medical officer Sabuj Kumar Das started her surgery. According to media reports, after two hours of surgery on Meghla's stomach, the doctors put the newborn back into her mother's womb and referred her to a Barishal hospital. As the patient's condition deteriorated on the way to Barishal, she was rushed to nearby Bhandaria Hospital where the on-duty doctor declared her dead. As the allegations were proved authentic in an investigation conducted by the commission, it has recommended that those responsible be punished and compensation be paid to the family of deceased Meghla.”

He said, “The intern doctors at Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital have reportedly tortured the son of a patient under treatment. On the other hand, patients spend a lot of money on doctors' fees and diagnostic center fees, but the expected medical care is not available.”

The statement said, “The Human Rights Commission is observing various incidents of injustice, injustice and cruelty in the health sector. These incidents are extremely unfortunate for the nation as it raises question whether there is extreme anarchy and cruelty in the health sector. At a time when the country is progressing steadily in various fields, extreme anarchy in the health sector cannot be accepted in any way.”

The HRC chairman also said, “Due to the lack of necessary monitoring, establishment of unapproved hospitals and clinics as well as unbridled surgical and medical activities are going on without minimum qualification of doctors and nurses. These unauthorized hospitals should be identified immediately and the manipulative treatment should be stopped.”