Staff Correspondent:

A 20-year-old woman died after undergoing a Caesarean section at a private hospital in Sirajganj, with her family alleging that medical negligence and improper treatment caused her death.

Following the death, agitated relatives and local residents vandalised parts of the Old Community Hospital Complex on Mujib Road in Sirajganj town on Friday afternoon. On information, police reached to the spot and brought the situation under control.

The incident occurred at around 1:00pm on Friday (September 18).

The deceased was identified as Shiwly Khatun, 20, wife of Mahim, from Uttar Sarthia village under Shiyalkol union of Sirajganj Sadar upazila.

According to the victim’s relatives and local sources, Shiwly was admitted to the Old Community Hospital on Thursday afternoon along with labour pains. She subsequently was taken to a Caesarean section under the supervision of physician Sultan Mahmud.

After the operation, she was shifted to a bed, where she complained of severe chest pain, according to her relatives. They informed hospital director Kamal Talukder and the attending doctors about her condition.

As her condition deteriorated, Shiwly was taken back to the operating theatre at around 6:00pm on Thursday, the relatives said.

They alleged that she was brought out of the operating theatre in unconscious condition at around 2:00am, nearly eight hours later. The family was then advised to take her to Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital in Bogura for better treatment.

The family took her to Bogura, where doctors at the emergency department declared her dead, they said.

News of her death spread in Sirajganj on Friday, prompting relatives and local residents to gather at the Community Hospital Complex. They alleged that medical negligence and improper treatment had led to her death and vandalised parts of the facility.

Police subsequently arrived at the hospital and brought the situation under control.

In connection with the incident, the deceased’s brother, Panna Sheikh, filed a written complaint with Sirajganj Sadar Police Station against two doctors and the hospital director.

Panna Sheikh alleged that his sister began experiencing severe chest pain immediately after the Caesarean operation.

“We believe that my sister died because of wrong treatment,” he said. “We demand cancellation of the hospital’s licence and the arrest and exemplary punishment of the two accused doctors and the director.”

The hospital director, the doctors concerned and other relevant authorities could not be reached for comment regarding the allegations.

Sirajganj Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Rakibul Hasan said police had received a written complaint over the woman’s death.

“The matter will be investigated and legal action will be taken based on the findings,” he said.