Implement the Patient Protection Act

The severe suffering, and even death, of Bangladesh's people due to negligence and medical errors is no secret. Almost every family has one or two such examples. Every year, numerous people in Bangladesh die due to medical malpractice. Countless patients are victims of negligence at various stages of treatment. In most cases, these incidents are covered up. In many instances, patients and their families may never even know how they became victims of medical errors. Even if patients fall victim to negligence or malpractice, very few have the courage to question the doctor. Unless a serious mistake, like death, occurs, such incidents often remain unreported.

Recently, allegations have been raised against Green Life Hospital in the capital for medical malpractice leading to death. A report published in the media on Sunday, December 29, reveals that Mosharraf Hossain, who had been experiencing chest pain, visited Green Life Hospital a week ago. He was admitted on December 21. He was in good health right before his surgery, but after the surgery, his lifeless body was brought out. His son, Atiqur Rahman Litu, has alleged that his father died due to medical negligence.

It is alleged that the surgery was supposed to be performed under Professor Manjurul Alam, but he did not show up. Instead, his assistants performed the surgery. To cover up the incident, the authorities reportedly offered money and job promises. The deceased's son, Sajid Hasan, has raised concerns about negligence in the treatment. The family has filed a case with the Kalabagan Police Station. Based on this, Dr. Sajib Nazrul, who treated the patient in the emergency department, has been arrested by the police.

Incidents like the death of Mosharraf or Azizur have become commonplace in the country's healthcare system. Allegations of negligence, medical malpractice, and other such issues have led to hospital vandalism and attacks on doctors and staff, disrupting healthcare services. However, due to the lack of specific laws, victims do not receive proper redress. While the Consumer Rights Protection Act provides some provisions for relief, it is rarely used by the affected individuals. In cases of medical negligence, some people approach the higher courts, while many file cases under the Penal Code. In such cases, doctors are sometimes sent to jail. However, even when cases are filed under the Penal Code, there is rarely any visible redress.

Although the Directorate General of Health Services and the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC) regularly receive complaints against doctors, the process of obtaining justice takes a long time. Currently, 78 per cent of the complaints at the BMDC remain unresolved. Moreover, a significant portion of these complaints lacks supporting evidence during investigations. According to BMDC data, from April 2, 2014, to November 1 of this year, 147 complaints were registered against doctors. Of these, 51 complaints were resolved, 20 were withdrawn by the complainants, and in 31 cases, the complaints against the doctors were found to be true. As a result, the registrations of 16 doctors were suspended for varying periods, and one doctor's registration was permanently canceled. Eighteen percent of the doctors received a warning notice due to proven complaints, while 10 per cent were reprimanded. On the other hand, 39 per cent of doctors were exonerated due to lack of evidence.

Experts say that despite allegations of negligence or medical malpractice, there is a lack of exemplary punishment, prolonged resolution processes, and certain flaws in the law. Even though allegations of patient deaths due to medical errors are raised regularly, little redress is provided. Therefore, the implementation of a Patient Protection Law is essential. Due to the absence of such a law, many doctors in Bangladesh continue to show negligence in their practices, while many patients develop distrust in seeking treatment for complex diseases. As a result, many wealthy patients travel abroad for advanced treatments, while many poor patients are forced to either undergo treatment or refrain from seeking medical care altogether. The healthcare system in Bangladesh is in a state of severe disorder. We hope that this chaos is eradicated, and healthcare services in Bangladesh become more humane and professional.