Ctg hospital forms probe committee

A Chattogram hospital yesterday formed a committee to look into the allegation that a doctor misbehaved with a patient from an ethnic minority community, for not speaking Bangla.

Dr Nurul Haque, director (administration) of Chattogram Maa Shishu O General Hospital termed it an unprecedented and unexpected incident.

Alin Chakma, son of the patient in question, lodged a written complaint with the hospital on April 7. Taking the issue into cognizance, the hospital authorities yesterday formed a three-member probe body to investigate the incident, said Nurul Haque.

Alin, a second year student of Dramatics Department of Chittagong University, said he took his father Tarun Kanti Chakma -- a resident of Baghaichari of Rangamati who was visiting his children in the port city -- to Chattogram Maa Shishu O General Hospital since he was suffering from abdominal pain.

They met gastroenterology consultant Dr Md Mosleuddin Shahed, who apparently humiliated the duo after Tarun could not respond to his queries in Bangla, Alin said.

When Alin replied to the questions, and said his father did not speak Bangla as he was not educated, the doctor misbehaved with him and drove him out of the chamber. Few minutes later, his father also came out of the chamber.

Alin said other physicians and nurses witnessed the incident but did not protest.

This correspondent tried to reach Dr Moslehuddin for the last two days over phone and text message, but he did not respond. Upon a visit to the hospital yesterday, it was found that he was on leave.

“It is not mandatory to know Bangla for a patient. Deaf and mute patients can also visit a physician; we have to deal with them with extra care,” said Dr Nurul Haque.