Doctor Nasir Islam, who was brutally attacked by relatives of a deceased patient in Shariatpur, has been airlifted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) for advanced treatment, officials said on Saturday.
The physician was brought to the capital by air ambulance on Saturday afternoon. Health Services Division Secretary Md Kamruzzaman Chowdhury later visited him at DMCH.
“Doctor Nasir was working at Shariatpur Hospital. On Friday night, a patient came with chest pain. Doctors treated him. Later, seeing his critical condition, they referred him to the Heart Institute in Dhaka,” the secretary told reporters.
“However, the patient’s relatives refused to go to Dhaka and demanded treatment there. Subsequently, the patient died while under treatment,” he added.
Following the death, relatives accused the doctor of negligence and attacked him.
“Doctor Nasir took refuge in the hospital bathroom. He was dragged out from there to the street, and about 50 to 60 people beat him, leaving him seriously injured,” Chowdhury said.
The injured doctor received initial treatment at Shariatpur Hospital that night. After discussions with the prime minister’s principal secretary, the health minister, and specialist doctors, authorities decided to bring him to Dhaka by air ambulance.
“He is currently stable. Neurosurgeons at Dhaka Medical College are attending to him. I hope he will recover quickly and return to work,” the secretary said.
A case has been filed over the attack, and two people have been arrested. The secretary said those involved will be brought to justice and exemplary punishment ensured.
Separately, a letter threatening to kill Additional Director General of the Health Department Zahid Raihan has been received.
In response, the health secretary said, “A threat has come, but I did not take it seriously because it is an anonymous letter. If we pay attention to such things, we cannot work. However, I have informed law enforcement agencies, the ministry, and the hospital.”
