Bangladesh: Injured Individual Succumbs After Hospitals Refuse Care Due to Staffing Issues

Synopsis

During the Eid holiday in Bangladesh, a critical shortage of medical staff in public hospitals resulted in severe delays and negligence in patient care. Tragically, a man died after being repeatedly denied treatment at various facilities. This incident highlights the pressing need for improved healthcare accessibility and accountability in the country.

Key Takeaways

Severe medical negligence occurred during the Eid holiday due to staff shortages.
Numerous patients faced delays in receiving necessary treatment.
Riyad Hossain died after being denied care at multiple hospitals.
91% of Bangladeshis want improved healthcare regulations.
The issue of patient mistreatment is more severe in urban regions.

Dhaka, April 3 (NationPress) With a significant number of doctors and nurses absent from major public hospitals during the Eid holiday, critical medical negligence was observed in Bangladesh, as numerous patients faced long delays and were denied essential treatment, according to local media.

Reports indicate that the emergency departments at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) and the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR), commonly referred to as Pongu Hospital, experienced a surge in patient numbers during Eid, resulting in distress for many individuals seeking medical attention.

In a statement to The Daily Star, DMCH Director Md Asaduzzaman noted that only about 500 out of 2,500 nurses were on duty throughout the Eid festivities.

However, he did not disclose how many doctors were present.

Meanwhile, a family reported that a victim of a mob beating was denied treatment at various hospitals in the area, ultimately leading to his death.

When Riyad Hossain, who suffered severe injuries from an alleged mob beating, was brought to Kurmitola General Hospital by the police, he was not admitted and was redirected to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).

DMCH, the largest hospital in the nation, also refused to admit him, instead offering some medications and stating that his condition was stable.

As Riyad's health worsened, police transported him to a nearby private hospital, but he was turned away due to a lack of available doctors. His condition continued to decline, and he was returned to Kurmitola General Hospital, which again denied him admission.

Ultimately, Riyad passed away from his injuries in the hospital's emergency department early Monday.

"My husband died because he was not provided with adequate treatment at any hospital," Riyad's wife, Farzana Akter, told The Daily Star.

According to a report by Prothom Alo, a major daily in Bangladesh, a national survey conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) in February 2025 found that one in three individuals in the country has encountered negligence, carelessness, and mistreatment in both government and private hospitals.

This issue is more prevalent in urban areas compared to rural ones. Approximately 91 percent of the population in Bangladesh desires the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus to be legally obligated to ensure primary healthcare for all.