DMCH staffers, relatives clash after child’s death in hospital

A staffer at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) was badly beaten last night, allegedly by relatives of a four-year-old who had died in the hospital.

The hospital staffer, Jewel, 25, was assaulted near the emergency unit around 8:30pm and was later admitted in critical condition.

Witnesses said he was attacked while trying to intervene during a scuffle between an Ansar personnel and the child's family.

Later, hospital staffers retaliated and clashed with the other group, and handed two of them over to police.

The incident took place in ward 210 on the hospital's second floor.

Ansar personnel Abdullah, on duty at the ward, said doctors declared four-year-old Safwan dead and referred the body to the emergency department for reconfirming. "The family became agitated and tried to assault the doctor," he said.

Later, they went to the emergency department and chanted slogans against the doctor, alleging that the child died due to wrong treatment.

Without waiting for a death certificate, they tried to leave the hospital.

When an Ansar member tried to stop them, the relatives tried to attack him.

"Jewel stepped in to help, but they turned on him. He was beaten and dragged outside the emergency gate," said Sakib, the Ansar member posted at the emergency ward.

Hospital staffers later rescued Jewel and admitted him for treatment.

Safwan's aunt Simran said the family lives in the Bangshal area. "Safwan had long been suffering from kidney complications. He fell seriously ill in the evening, and we rushed him to DMCH," she said. "But the doctors didn't treat him. That's why he died."

Contacted, doctors from ward 210 declined to comment on the matter.

DMCH Ansar Platoon Commander Md Selim Mia said the ward's doors were damaged and staff were threatened. "The family tried to assault nurses and doctors. When they moved to the emergency unit, they attacked an Ansar member. Jewel intervened and was beaten severely."

Inspector Md Faruk, in-charge of DMCH police camp, said two of the family members were detained after staff retaliated. "They were handed over to Shahbagh Police Station. Additional police have been deployed. The situation is now under control."