The Ministry of Health has instructed the Bangladesh Medical & Dental Council (BM&DC) to cancel the registration of Dr Mamun Al Mahtab Shwapnil, a doctor at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, after an investigation found him "responsible" for the death of engineer, Afsar Ahmed two years ago.
At the same time, the Ministry has also directed action to be taken against Labaid Hospital in Dhanmondi regarding the death of the engineer.
On January 16, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s Health Services Division sent a letter to BM&DC and the Health Department to take necessary action.
The family of Afsar Ahmed received a copy of the letter on Tuesday.
BM&DC Registrar Dr Md Liakat Hossain told the media that they have received the Ministry's letter and that the necessary actions are in process.
"The matter is in the final stage. However, we cannot comment on it without the committee's approval. Everything is ready, and it will be presented at the upcoming executive committee meeting. The necessary actions will be taken according to the decision made there," he said.
When questioned about the issue, Dr Shwapnil on Wednesday said: "I am not aware of the Ministry's letter. I was called for an inquiry a few days ago, and I provided my statement. I don’t believe I was at fault in this case."
In the letter sent to BM&DC Registrar by the Health Services Division, signed by Deputy Secretary Sharaban Tahura, it said: "Dr Mamun Al Mahtab Shwapnil of Labaid Hospital in Dhanmondi is accused of negligence in the death of engineer Afsar Ahmed during an endoscopy procedure. A report from the investigation committee formed by the Health Department has been submitted."
According to the report, due to negligence in duty, the Ministry has instructed the cancellation of Dr Shwapnil’s registration with BM&DC and informed the administrative ministry about the matter.
In another letter sent to the Director General of the Health Department Professor Dr Md Abu Jafor, the Ministry has directed "appropriate action" to be taken against Labaid Hospital based on the investigation committee’s report and the gravity of the situation.
Dr Abu Jafor on Wednesday told reporters: "That incident happened earlier, and I wasn’t here at the time, so I am not familiar with it. Moreover, the Ministry’s letter has not yet reached me."
On November 9, 2023, Afsar Ahmed, an engineer from Sadar upazila, died at the private Labaid Hospital in Dhanmondi.
He had been under the care of Dr Shwapnil and had gone for an endoscopy that day.
Four and a half months later, Afsar’s brother, Khairul Bashar, filed a complaint accusing Dr Shwapnil and Labaid Hospital of negligence and carelessness in the treatment.
In the written complaint to former health minister Dr Samanta Lal Sen, Bashar requested an investigation into his brother's death due to "mismanagement, incompetence, negligence, and carelessness."
Bashar described his brother’s final moments, saying: "On November 5, 2023, Afsar Ahmed visited Dr Mamun Al Mahtab Shwapnil at Labaid Specialized Hospital in Dhanmondi for treatment. Dr Shwapnil gave a prescription for several tests, including endoscopy and colonoscopy. Four days later, on November 9, an appointment was made for the endoscopy and colonoscopy procedures. Afsar went to Labaid Hospital at 9am on that day."
The complaint further said that when Afsar arrived for the endoscopy, he was informed that the procedure would be done at 4pm, although the necessary preparation for the procedure had started in the morning.
The procedure was ultimately done at 8pm.
"It is claimed that Dr Shwapnil did not monitor the patient's physical condition or conduct any pre-evaluation before administering anesthesia. The procedure began, and at one point, Afsar was moved to the ICU. When asked, we were told that Afsar had suffered a cardiac arrest, and they were placing him on life support.
"Later that night, around 1:30am, we were informed that Afsar had passed away," his brother said.
