Locals take to street for arrest of doctors, MD

Around a hundred local people yesterday demanded arrest of two physicians and managing director (MD) of Momtaz Uddin General Hospital in Savar where a woman died due to “errors” during a tonsil removal surgery early this month.

They also demanded a fair investigation into the incident, punishment for those responsible for the death, and shutdown of the private hospital in Polashbari area.

Lily Begum, 32, died while undergoing the operation on July 5. The procedure was conducted by Dr Mudassir Mahmud, a specialist from Dhaka's National Institute of ENT (Ear Nose Throat), and Dr Ittajul Islam, an anaesthetist.

Speaking at a human chain in front of the hospital, the patient's husband Abul Kashem, a grocer, said police have failed to arrest the two doctors and managing director Rubel Wahid although five days has passed after filing of a case with Ashulia Police Station.

Lily's elder son, Ashraful Islam, 17, a college student, also spoke at the protest programme, demanding justice for the loss of his mother due to “wrong treatment”.

Abdul Awal, officer in-charge of Ashulia Police Station, said they were trying to arrest the doctors and the managing director but they are on the run

A day after Lily Begum's death, her husband sued the three.

The next day, July 7, a four-member committee was formed to investigate the allegations. Led by Dr Shahanaz Parvin, junior consultant (surgery) of Savar Upazila Health Complex, the committee was asked to submit the report within 10 working days.