Chattogram private hospital owners halt services for new patients

Private hospital owners in Chattogram have announced an indefinite halt to services for new patients, in angry reactions to a RAB inspection of Max Hospital, where a child died as a result of negligence.

Private Hospital and Lab Owners Association General Secretary Dr Liakat Ali Khan made the announcement on Sunday at the port city’s Bangladesh Medical Association offices during an emergency meeting.

Khan, who is also the managing director of Max Hospital, told the media that patients already admitted to these hospitals would continue to receive care.

Private doctors will also be able to provide care at Chittagong Medical College Hospital if necessary, he said.

BMA’s Chattogram branch President Mujibul Haque Khan expressed his solidarity with the decision made by hospital owners.

RAB began the mobile court raids on Max Hospital, Metropolitan Hospital and CSCR Hospital in the port city simultaneously around11:30am.

RAB Executive Magistrate Sarwoer Alam led the inspection at Max Hospital. Dr Dewan Mahmud Mehedi Hasan was also present as a representative from the Directorate General of Health Services.

On Jun 28, Dainik Samakal’s Senior Correspondent Rubel Khan’s two-and-a-half-year-old daughter was admitted to the hospital with a throat ache and then died while undergoing treatment the following day.

Journalists launched protests claiming ‘malpractice’. A committee from the Health Directorate and another led by the Chattogram civil surgeon began investigations into the incident.

The civil surgeon’s committee submitted its report on Thursday, stating that the doctors, nurses and hospital administration had been deficient in their duties. It recommended steps be taken against the three doctors overseeing her care due to their negligence.