Patient dies after oxygen allegedly removed by hospital cleaner in Khulna

A patient has reportedly died at Khulna Medical College Hospital shortly after a cleaner allegedly removed his oxygen mask over a tip dispute, his family claimed.

The deceased-Saiful, 38, admitted on Saturday with kidney complications, had been receiving oxygen in the Medicine Unit-1 wards.

Family members said attempts to secure oxygen on Saturday evening failed, and it was only provided after intervention from a local contact.

On Sunday morning, they allege, a ward cleaner removed the oxygen to give it to another patient, leading to Saiful’s death within 15–20 minutes.

The hospital’s Acting Deputy Director, Dr. Sujat Ahmed, stated there is no oxygen shortage and clarified that ward cleaners are not authorised to remove or allocate oxygen.

“Any removal without a doctor’s permission will be investigated, and those responsible will be held accountable,” he added.