Doctors at Rangpur Medical College Hospital (RMCH) suspended emergency medical services and staged a protest on Saturday after an on-duty physician was allegedly assaulted by relatives of a deceased patient.

The incident also led to a standoff between doctors and the patient’s family members, who blocked the highway near the hospital demanding the release of the body.

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According to hospital sources, a patient admitted to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) died after relatives allegedly failed to obtain an oxygen mask when it was needed. Following the death, the patient’s family members accused the hospital authorities of negligence and allegedly assaulted the physician on duty.

As news of the assault spread, doctors gathered at the hospital, suspended emergency services and staged a demonstration near the morgue, where they also withheld the body.

Meanwhile, the deceased patient’s relatives blocked the highway in front of Rangpur Medical College Hospital, demanding the release of the body. Vehicular movement on the road remained suspended for some time, causing traffic congestion in the area.

The family members claimed that the patient died due to medical negligence and alleged that the body was being withheld to cover up the incident. They warned that they would continue the blockade unless the body was handed over immediately.

Brig General Ashikur Rahman, director of Rangpur Medical College Hospital, said discussions had been held to defuse the situation and expressed hope that the matter would be resolved quickly.