Once again, an allegation of wrong treatment of a pregnant mother has been made at ‘Dohar General Hospital’ adjacent to Joypara Police Station, the heart of Dohar upazila of Dhaka. The victimized woman is Mim Akter (24) of Gazikanda area of the upazila.
In this regard, on July 7, the husband of the victim Mim, Md. Robin Hossain, submitted a written complaint to the Dhaka District Civil Surgeon, Upazila Nirbahi Officer, Upazila Health Officer, and Dohar Police Station.
According to the complaint, a pregnant patient named Mim Akter came to the upazila health complex for treatment at the outpatient department. There, on May 5 of this year, she showed herself to Dr. Shiuli Akter at the outpatient department. Dr. Shiuli is serving as Assistant Surgeon (Gynae & Obs) at the Upazila Health Complex. She informed the patient’s husband Md. Robin Hossain that the baby in the womb had suffered some injury to the head. She said that the delivery needed to be done quickly through cesarean at a modern hospital outside the government hospital. According to the doctor’s advice, on May 7 at 8 pm, Dr. Shiuli Akter performed the cesarean of the pregnant mother at Dohar General Hospital. After the cesarean, Dr. Shiuli Akter informed the patient’s relatives that the operation was successful. The newborn had some injury to the head. Later, when the patient went home, her relatives saw that she had been cut above the vaginal path, and the patient felt something like thread there.
They complained about this at Dohar General Hospital, asking why such wrong treatment was done without informing the patient’s relatives. The patient’s relatives are worried about her health and future. Even after submitting a complaint to Nazmul Hossain, Director of Dohar General Hospital, he delayed by taking time 4/5 times without giving any solution.
Later, a written complaint was submitted to the Dohar Upazila Nirbahi Officer and the Officer-in-Charge of Dohar. In the complaint, it was mentioned why doctors at the Upazila Health Complex advised cesarean in private clinics showing various reasons without even trying for normal delivery when a pregnant patient came there. The victimized family demanded legal action in this matter.
According to sources at the Upazila Health Complex and several others on condition of anonymity, Dr. Shiuli Akter sees private patients at 600 taka per visit at the private clinic Lab Care adjacent to the Upazila Health Complex and at Dohar General Hospital Clinic. Every day from 12 noon to 2 pm she regularly sees private patients. Being the niece of former Upazila Chairman and Upazila Awami League President Alomgir Hossain, she does not properly see patients at the government hospital. Even if she sits there for some time, she sends the outpatient department patients to see them privately.
Local pen soldier Kazi Zubayer was spoken to. He said, earlier also, in Daily Samakal newspaper and several national newspapers, reports were published about the death of a newborn due to wrong treatment at a private clinic involving Dr. Shiuli. Nothing happened under the influence of the District Civil Surgeon and Dohar Health Officer.
In this regard, multiple calls were made to Dr. Shiuli Akter’s mobile phone from 12 noon to 1:30 pm on Monday, but she did not receive them. Later, a short message was sent to her mobile.
Regarding this, Officer-in-Charge of Dohar Police Station Md. Hasan Ali said, in this incident, the patient’s guardian submitted a complaint to the police station seeking justice. The Upazila Health Officer is in charge of investigating the matter. It is hoped that legal action will be taken after investigation.
When asked about this, Dohar Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Robiul Awal avoided talking about sitting at the private clinic and said, no doctor on duty can do private practice. Moreover, there are previous complaints against Dr. Shiuli. The matter is under investigation by the Dhaka District Civil Surgeon. After receiving the report, further legal action will be taken.
Regarding this, Anisur Rahman, the doctor on duty at the emergency department, said, government doctors do not have much responsibility regarding delivery at private clinics. Still, I have received a complaint letter about this. Earlier also Dr. Shiuli Akter was in the news headlines. The matter will be investigated and a report will be sent to the higher authorities.
