Clinic attacked, docs beaten up

Shattered glass of the ICU door at Renaissance Hospital and Research Institute after relatives of a patient went on the rampage yesterday protesting death due to "doctors' negligence". Photo: Courtesy

At least ten persons including two doctors were injured in the ransacking of a hospital and a diagnostic centre in the capital's Dhanmondi yesterday over the death of a patient alleging wrong treatment.
The deceased Ferdousi, 32, was wife of Golam Gafur Farid, assistant general manager of Madina Group owned by former Awami League lawmaker Haji Mohammad Selim.
Farid told The Daily Star that they had no issue in eight years' married life. As per the advice of a specialist doctor he brought his wife to Medinova Diagnostic Centre for testing infertility.
He said, "My wife came to Medinova on foot at 7:30am from Kathalbagan. She was quite well. When a doctor gave her an injection she became unconscious."
Medinova authorities rushed her to Renaissance Hospital where she was kept in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) unattended for about 45 minutes. This caused her death, said Farid.
Eyewitnesses said relatives of the patient thronged the hospital on hearing the death news. They went berserk at around 2:00pm twice within an hour and beat up the physicians there.
The angry mob also went on a rampage at the Medinova Diagnostic Centre, said the witnesses.
Renaissance Hospital authorities alleged that Haji Mohammad Selim was also engaged in beating the doctors.
But the former lawmaker denied his involvement in beating. He told The Daily Star that he went to the hospital to settle the dispute, adding that he would take legal steps in this matter.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Dhanmondi police station Shah Alam said a general diary has been filed and a case is underway.
"We sent the body to Dhaka Medical College morgue. Action will be taken soon after the autopsy report comes," said the OC.
SM Rafiqul Islam, administrative officer of Medinova Diagnostic Centre (Lab) said they are handling this type of patients for long and this is the only accident they ever had.
He said doctor Khaleda Nasrin injected Iopamiro 60ml into the patient's body. She reacted to it immediately.
Rafiqul said the medicine from the same vial was applied to another patient Afroza who is well and sound.
Jaglul Karim, chairman of Renaissance Hospital and Research Institute Ltd said Ferdousi was brought dead to the hospital.
He said relatives of the patient beat up five medical staff including two doctors and ransacked two floors of the hospital.
Mohammad Nasir, manager (Admin) of Medinova Diagnostic Centre, said at least 200 patients who came for different tests fled the scene during the one-hour long mayhem.