The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has formed a three-member probe body to inquire into the death of a patient, who died on Friday while being stuck inside a lift at the capital’s Mitford Hospital.
The DGHS also suspended Anuwar Hossain, an administration officer (in-charge), for his alleged negligence of duty.
The probe committee, headed by DGHS Dhaka Division Director Dr Md Abdur Rakib, and consisting of DGHS Deputy Director (discipline) Dr Emdadul Hoque and associate professor of cardiology at Dhaka Medical College Hospital Dr Sirajul Hoque, has been told to submit its findings within three working days, confirmed Dr Md Shah Newaz, director (administration) of the DGHS.
Health Minister Mohammed Nasim reportedly issued directives to probe into the death.
Sultana Begum, 35, a resident of Ekuria Moddhopara of Keranigonj, was admitted to the medicine ward 8 of the hospital on Thursday night with severe pain in her leg.
Following an ECG test on Friday noon, Sultana entered a lift to return to the ward on the second floor. However, the lift became stuck when it started to climb, trapping Sultana, one of her relative and a trolley-operator inside. Despite shouts for help, none of the hospital authority or the on-duty lift-operator came to their aid in over one-and-half hours.
When the lift was finally opened, Sultana was found unconscious, while an on-duty doctor declared her dead.
The hospital authority had allegedly made contractual appointment of the lift-operator, while there are also allegations that most lift-operators failed to be regular at their work.
DGHS sources said the lift-operator who was officially on-duty at the time of Sultana’s death has been withdrawn from the hospital.
