Sadar Hospital vandalized in Shariatpur, emergency department doctor’s head smashed with brick

❐ District Representative

A doctor on duty at the night emergency department at Shariatpur Sadar Hospital was seriously injured in a mob attack by relatives of a patient. The attackers broke the door and glass, dragged the doctor out of the washroom and smashed his head with a brick, leaving him half-dead. Three Ansar members were also seriously injured in the incident.

Locals said the attackers were associated with local Chhatra Dal politics.

The incident took place at around 1:10 am on Friday at the emergency department of Shariatpur Sadar Hospital. The injured doctor, Dr. Nasir (BCS 48th batch), was currently working as an attachment at Sadar Hospital.

According to hospital sources, the 250-bed hospital is under extreme pressure to provide services as it has 3-4 times more patients than its capacity. At around 12:20 am, a myocardial infarction (MI) patient was admitted to the hospital with chest pain and blood pressure of 60/40. The patient’s family expressed their inability to take him to Dhaka and got him admitted with a ‘risk bond’.

The patient was in cardiogenic shock and his condition deteriorated rapidly. The relatives delayed in informing the emergency department as the patient was admitted to the third floor ward. Dr. Nasir reached the patient and found him dead.

The attack was led by Soleiman Kazi, joint general secretary of Shariatpur College Chhatra Dal, and accused number 1 in the case.

Then a large group of about 150-200 relatives of the patient, led by local Chhatra Dal leaders, gathered in the emergency department and attacked Dr. Nasir. They broke the glass door and entered.

Seeing the situation getting worse, the doctor took shelter in the washroom, but the attackers broke it down and brought him out. He was hit on the head with a brick, causing serious injuries. It has been alleged that the attackers tried to kill him.

Three Ansar members were also injured in the attack while trying to protect the doctor. The attackers dragged the doctor out of the diarrhea ward before the police arrived at the scene.

Doctors’ organizations have strongly condemned the incident, saying, “Without safety in the workplace, it becomes impossible to work in healthcare institutions.”

Those concerned believe that the high number of patients in the hospital, lack of manpower, and weak security systems are provoking such incidents.

In such a ‘monarchy’, the insecurity of doctors is increasing day by day.

Industry insiders say that such attacks will continue unless hospitals have proper security measures, adequate manpower, and improved patient management. Health workers and the general public have wished Dr. Nasir a speedy recovery.

It is expected that the police will identify those involved in the incident and take legal action. A complaint has already been filed with the police station.