A Sramik Dal leader has been accused of attacking a doctor on duty at the Madarganj Upazila Health Complex in Jamalpur. The incident took place at noon on 7 July over the death of a woman who had been bitten by a snake.

According to the doctor and local sources, Romisa Begum, 55, of Tartapara village in Balijuri union of the upazila, fell ill after a snakebite and was admitted to the upazila health complex on the night of 6 July. She later died while under treatment. Her relatives allege that she died because she was not given antivenom in time.

On Tuesday afternoon her relatives came to the hospital and got into an argument with Asaduzzaman, the sub-assistant community medical officer on duty. At one point Sharif Uddin, convener of the Balijuri union Sramik Dal and the dead woman's younger brother, physically attacked the doctor. Several hospital employees who came forward to protect the doctor were also assaulted.

Dr Abdullah Al Mamun, Madarganj upazila health and family planning officer, said: "So far no one has made a written complaint to me about the patient's death. But a three-member committee has been formed to investigate the incident. Legal action will also be taken over the attack on the doctor on duty."

Snehashis Roy, officer-in-charge of Madarganj Model Police Station, said: "The attack on a doctor on duty is very regrettable. But no written complaint has yet been received from the hospital authorities. Necessary legal action will be taken once a complaint is received."

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.