Jasim Uddin (52), an engineer of Jonabari area, Savar, Dhaka had breathing difficulty and body pain. There has been an allegation that although he was admitted in the Enam Medical College Hospital, he was forced to leave the hospital after a few hours. After running to different hospitals, Jasim Uddin finally died under treatment yesterday at 10 am at Nayabazar Dhaka Mahanagar General Hospital. Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) expresses deep concern over this incident.
According to news media reports, Jasim Uddin was suffering from body pain and breathing difficulty since last Wednesday. As his condition deteriorated, he was admitted to Enam Medical College Hospital at around 01:00pm on Sunday, 12 April 2020. When his breathing difficulty increased in the evening, the doctors advised to take him to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital. When the family members were unwilling to shift him, a security officer forced them to leave the hospital with the help of Ansar Guards at around 10 o’clock at night. However, Anwarul Quader, Chief Executive Officer, Enam Medical College Hospital, claimed that the patient was not forced to leave, but rather only advised to be transferred to BSSMU Hospital.

According to media reports and remarks from his family members, Jasim was taken to Savar Upazilla Health Complex from Enam Medical. The doctors there advised them to take the patient to Kurmitola General Hospital suspecting Corona virus infection. The Kurmitola General Hospital authority conducted primary tests and on detecting no symptom of Corona virus, advised them to take him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). DMCH expressed their inability to admit showing different excuses and advised them to take Jasim to Nayabazar Dhaka Metropolitan General Hospital. He was admitted in the said hospital at night 3 o’clock, where Jasim died within half an hour of admission.
ASK demands proper investigation into the cause behind transferring Jasim to Dhaka when there was healthcare facilities including Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in Enam Medical. It is to be noted that on 4 April 2020, the Health and Family Welfare Minister in their press statement declared that if any hospital denies giving treatment to patients suffering from general diseases, strict steps will be taken against the hospitals including the cancellation of their license. ASK urges the government to strictly reinstruct all hospital authorities so that such incidents are not repeated.

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