14 May, 2026- Barishal:- A patient at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital, locally known as Shebachim, allegedly died within two minutes after an oxygen mask was removed when a hospital employee reportedly did not receive a 200 taka tip.
The incident took place on Wednesday (May 13) in the Medicine Department of the hospital’s OPD building. The allegation triggered tension and clashes between the deceased woman’s relatives and hospital staff on the hospital premises. The deceased, Dipali Sikdar, 40, was the wife of Shankar Sikdar from Purba Kharki village in Mehendiganj upazila of Barishal.
Hospital Director Brigadier General Dr. AKM Mashiul Munir said the accused employee has been temporarily suspended following the incident.
According to Dipali’s family members, she was admitted to the Medicine Department of Shebachim Hospital at around 2:45 pm on Wednesday after suffering from severe breathing complications. As her condition was critical, doctors transferred her to the Medicine Department in the OPD building and advised that she be given uninterrupted oxygen support for two hours on an emergency basis.
Dipali’s brother, Milon Hawlader, alleged that while his sister was struggling to survive with oxygen support, an employee named Sohel from Medicine Unit-1 arrived at the scene. According to him, relatives of another patient paid Sohel 200 taka to take the trolley away. Tempted by the money, Sohel allegedly disconnected Dipali’s oxygen line despite her critical condition.
“We begged him not to do it, but he did not listen. My sister died within two minutes after the oxygen was removed. This was not a natural death — my sister was killed,” Milon alleged.
After news of Dipali’s death spread, her relatives became enraged. They reportedly dragged Sohel and physically assaulted him. At that point, other hospital staff members allegedly sided with Sohel and confronted the victim’s relatives, leading to a clash between the two groups.
Later, on-duty Ansar personnel intervened and brought the situation under control.
Ansar member Nithu Ranjan said the victim’s relatives were severely beating the employee, Sohel, following the patient’s death. “As the situation was going out of control, we quickly intervened, rescued him, and restored order,” he said.
Hospital Director Brigadier General Dr. AKM Mashiul Munir stated that the accused employee was immediately suspended and instructed that his salary be withheld. He also said an investigation committee would be formed on Thursday to look into the incident and determine further action.
Officer-in-Charge Al Mamun Ul Islam of Kotwali Model Police Station said police visited the scene after receiving reports of the incident. He added that legal action would be taken after an investigation if the victim’s family submits a written complaint.
