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Published : 29 Jan 2025, 07:02 PM
The health ministry has ordered the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council, or BMDC, to revoke the licence of Dr Mamun Al Mahtab Swapnil of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University following an investigation that found him responsible for the death of engineer Afsar Ahmed two years ago.
The ministry has also instructed authorities to take action against Labaid Hospital in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi over the death of the Local Government Engineering Department, or LGED, official.
On Jan 16, the Health Services Division of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued a letter to BMDC and the Directorate General of Health Services, or DGHS, directing them to act on the matter. A copy of the directive was handed over to Afsar’s family on Tuesday.
BMDC Acting Registrar Dr Md Liaquat Hossain told bdnews24.com that they had received the ministry’s letter.
“The process to take necessary steps is under way. The matter is in the final stage, but we cannot make any comments before the committee’s approval," he said
"Everything has been prepared and will be presented at the next executive committee meeting. We will inform the media once a decision is made,” he added.
When contacted, Dr Swapnil said on Wednesday: “I am unaware of the ministry’s letter. I was called for an inquiry a few days ago, where I provided my statement. I do not believe I did anything wrong.”
The letter, signed by Health Services Division Deputy Secretary Ummey Sharaban Tahura, said: "There are allegations against Professor Mamun Al Mahtab (Swapnil) of Labaid Hospital, Dhanmondi, regarding the death of Afsar Ahmed, an LGED engineer, during an endoscopy procedure. The DGHS inquiry committee submitted its report on the matter. Following the findings, the authorities have instructed BMDC to revoke Swapnil’s medical licence due to negligence and inform the Ministry of Public Administration.”
In another letter addressed to DGHS Director General Prof Dr Md Abu Jafor, the ministry directed officials to take "appropriate action" against Labaid Hospital based on the report.
Afsar, a resident of Sunamganj’s Chhatak Upazila, died at Labaid Hospital on Nov 9, 2023. He was undergoing treatment under Dr Swapnil’s supervision and had visited the hospital that day for an endoscopy.
Four and a half months later, Afsar’s brother, Khairul Bashar, accused Dr Swapnil and Labaid Hospital of negligence.
In a letter to former health minister Dr Samanta Lal Sen, he demanded a probe into the circumstances of his brother’s death, citing "mismanagement, inefficiency, and negligence in treatment."
Bashar said Afsar had first visited Dr Swapnil at Labaid Hospital on Nov 5, 2023. Following a check-up, the doctor prescribed several tests, including an endoscopy and colonoscopy, and scheduled them for Nov 9.
According to the complaint, Afsar arrived at the hospital at 9am on the day of the procedure but was informed that the test would take place at 4pm.
The preparatory process began in the morning, but the test was ultimately conducted at 8pm.
"He [Dr Swapnil] instructed his aides to administer anaesthesia without assessing my brother’s physical condition or conducting a pre-evaluation. He then proceeded with the test. At one stage, my brother was moved to the ICU. When we inquired, they told us he had suffered a cardiac arrest. At around 1:30am, we were informed that my brother had died," Bashar said.
