Two women died at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barishal on Sunday morning after allegedly receiving a wrong injection pushed by a nurse.
Hospital authorities have formed a three-member probe committee and said necessary action will be taken against those responsible.
The incident took place at the female ward of the Ear, Nose and Throat department of the hospital.
The deceased were identified as Shefali, 60, wife of Mannan of Dabluganj village under Kalapara upazila in Patuakhali, and Helena, 45, wife of the late Babu Hawlader of the Airport Police Station area in Kashipur, Barishal.
Shefali was admitted to bed number seven while Helena was admitted to bed number ten in the ward.
Relatives and other patients said Shefali was admitted with a tumour-like cyst on her cheek while Helena was admitted with thyroid complications. Both were scheduled to undergo surgery on Sunday.
According to relatives, senior staff nurse Molina Rani Hawlader administered an anaesthesia injection identified as Nor Q 10mg in the ward by mistake.
They alleged the two patients died within two to five minutes after the injection was pushed.
Relatives said both women were stable before the injection was administered and collapsed shortly afterwards.
Family members and other patients demanded punishment for those responsible.
Senior nurse Molina Rani Haldar admitted her mistake and said she could not explain how the incident occurred.
Another senior nurse, Helen, also acknowledged the error.
Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital Director Brig Gen AKM Mashiul Munir said the two patients were scheduled to undergo surgery and certain medicines are normally administered before and during transfer to the operation theatre.
He said the anaesthetic injection appears to have been pushed earlier in the ward instead of inside the operation theatre.
The director described the incident as negligence and said higher authorities have been informed for necessary action.
He also said the hospital authorities will assist the families of the deceased if they seek legal action.
The hospital has formed a three-member investigation committee led by ENT Department Assistant Professor Aminul Haque.
The other members are Deputy Nursing Superintendent Mosammat Shahnaz Parveen and ENT Department Resident Surgeon Dr Al Mamun Khan.
