The death of a 55-year-old woman due to alleged negligence of some doctors at Khulna Medical College and Hospital (KMCH) sparked protest on Sunday.

A scuffle took place between the interns and two sons of the patient when they want to ask them why they didn’t come to see their patient despite their repeated request before her death at 3 am, alleged the relatives of the patient.

Later, the interns handed the two sons over to police and kept the body at the mortuary instead of handing it over to family, they claimed.

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Abdur Razzak, husband of the patient Piarunnesa of Doulatpur upazila, said her wife was admitted to the hospital’s no 11-12 ward as she complained of chest pain on Friday morning.

On Saturday, the condition of Piarunnessa deteriorated and her son Mostakim went to call a doctor to see her but they didn’t come. 

Piarunnesa breathed her last at the hospital at 3am.

Angered by the incident, Mostakim went to the interns’ room and sought explanation for their negligence. A heated argument took place that led to a scuffle among them.

On information, police rushed in and detained  two other sons of Piarunnessa —Tariqul Islam Kabir and Saddam Hossain---in this connection.

Intern Kamrul also beat up Saddam and tore down his shirt during the scuffle, Razzak alleged.

They are now under the custody of Sonadanga Police Station.

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Razzak also said the hospital authorities refused to hand over the body to the patient’s family.

Resident Medical Officer of Khulna Medical College and Hospital Dr Suhash Ranjan Haldar said, “The body will be handed over after completing necessary formalities.”

Asked about the detention of the two sons of the patient, he said police detained them for bringing the situation under control.