Patient dies due to 'doctor busy with mobile phone' negligence, family alleges

A woman has reportedly died due to negligence by a doctor at the Shahrasti Upazila Health Complex in Chandpur. The family claims that although the patient's condition deteriorated nearly an hour before her death, the on-duty doctor did not come to see her despite repeated requests. They further alleged that the doctor, who was busy with a mobile phone, instructed them to carry the patient on their shoulders from the bed to his room.

Hazera Begum (42) died at the hospital's women's ward around 11:30pm on Friday. She was a resident of Sheikh Bari in Jamalpur village of Bhatra Bazar union in Lakshmipur's Ramganj upazila and the wife of Akter Hossain. She had been suffering from liver problems for a long time.

According to hospital sources and the family, Hazera Begum was admitted to the Shahrasti Upazila Health Complex around 8:30pm on Thursday. When her condition worsened around 10:30pm the following day, her husband Akter Hossain requested the on-duty doctor, Priyanka, to come and see the patient.

Akter Hossain alleged that despite repeated requests, Dr Priyanka did not come to the patient. She was busy looking at her mobile phone at the time. At one point, the doctor instructed them to bring Hazera Begum to her room by carrying her on their shoulders from the bed.

Akter Hossain said when he informed the doctor that it was not possible for him alone to carry his wife to the doctor's room, the doctor advised him to give the patient oxygen. Shortly after, Hazera Begum died around 11:30pm. He also raised the question of whether his wife could have been saved if she had received treatment in time.

When journalists went to the hospital to seek Dr Priyanka's comment on the matter, they were prevented from obtaining her statement by cardiology consultant Joyanta Malakar. Claiming to be a sixth-grade official and in charge of the hospital's health officer, he said he would take full responsibility regarding the doctor accused of negligence and would speak on the doctor's behalf.

At one point in the conversation, Joyanta Malakar said the patient needed ICU support and that treatment for complex liver disease was not possible at the upazila health complex.

Shahrasti Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Abu Naser Shakil said action would be taken against the doctor according to rules if negligence in her duty is proven.

Shahrasti Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mir Mahbubur Rahman said police visited the scene after receiving the information. If a complaint is lodged at the police station, necessary legal action will be taken.