A 21-year-old woman died after undergoing a Caesarean section at Al Baraka Hospital in Brahmanpara, Cumilla, prompting her relatives and local residents to stage protests and vandalise the hospital over alleged medical negligence.

The deceased was identified as Mst Popy Akter, daughter of Md Moslem Uddin of Sahebabad village in Sahebabad Union and wife of Md Mohan Mia of Takoi Ahid Sarker Bari in the same union.

According to her family, Popy developed labour pain on Sept. 4 and was taken to Al Baraka Hospital, formerly Vision Hospital, in the upazila headquarters, where she delivered her baby through a Caesarean section. She and her newborn were discharged on September 07.

Her condition worsened around 3:30am on September 16, prompting the family to take her to Cumilla Medical College Hospital. Doctors performed another surgery after finding her condition critical and later advised ICU treatment.

As no ICU bed was available at the medical college hospital, Popy was shifted to the ICU of a private hospital in Cumilla city, where she died early Friday, the family said.

Meanwhile, the hospital was vandalised on the night of September 16 following the deterioration of Popy's condition. Police went to the spot and brought the situation under control.

On Friday morning, relatives and local residents took Popy's body to Al Baraka Hospital and staged another protest. The hospital was surrounded and vandalised, prompting police intervention. Police advised both sides to remain calm.

The family alleged that negligence during the Caesarean section and subsequent treatment at Al Baraka Hospital led to Popy's deterioration and death. They demanded a proper investigation and legal action against those responsible.

There were also allegations that a local meeting was held in the room of the village court of Sahebabad Union Parishad to settle the matter for Tk 12.5 lakh.

Dr Md Monirul Islam, resident medical officer of Brahmanpara Upazila Health Complex, said Cumilla Medical College Hospital had verbally instructed them to investigate the matter. A five-member committee has been formed accordingly, and necessary action against Al Baraka Hospital will be taken after the investigation.

Brahmanpara Police Station OC Md Faruk Hossain, said no written complaint has so far been received from either the hospital authorities or the patient's relatives. Legal action will be taken following an investigation if a complaint is filed.