A 60-year-old prison inmate, Monir Hossain Sikdar, has died while undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, raising renewed concerns about the healthcare provisions available to incarcerated individuals in Bangladesh.
According to hospital authorities, Sikdar passed away at approximately 11:05 pm on Friday night after spending nearly two weeks in the hospital’s medicine ward. He had been admitted on 7 February following a deterioration in his health while in custody at Dhaka Central Jail. Prison officials arranged his transfer to the hospital under medical advice, where he remained under treatment until his death.
Inspector Md Faruk, in charge of the hospital police outpost, confirmed the incident and stated that the body has been kept in the hospital morgue pending further legal formalities. He added that the cause of death has not yet been officially determined and may require a post-mortem examination if deemed necessary by the authorities.
Monir Hossain Sikdar hailed from Gopaldi village in Araihazar upazila of Narayanganj district. He was the son of Haji Zohurul Islam Sikdar. While limited personal and medical background information has been made available, it is understood that he had been suffering from health complications prior to his hospitalisation. However, questions remain regarding the timeliness and adequacy of medical care he received while in custody.
Notably, prison authorities were unable to immediately provide details regarding the case under which Sikdar had been detained, nor the duration of his incarceration. This lack of clarity has added to concerns about transparency and record-keeping within the correctional system.
The incident once again highlights broader systemic issues relating to prisoner welfare in Bangladesh. Human rights observers and public health experts have long emphasised the need for improved medical screening, timely referrals to specialised healthcare facilities, and enhanced monitoring of inmates with chronic illnesses. Overcrowding and limited medical resources in prisons are often cited as contributing factors to such outcomes.
Below is a summary of the key details surrounding the incident:
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Name of deceased | Monir Hossain Sikdar |
| Age | 60 |
| Date of hospital admission | 7 February |
| Date & time of death | Friday, 11:05 pm |
| Place of treatment | Dhaka Medical College Hospital |
| Origin | Gopaldi, Araihazar, Narayanganj |
| Body status | Preserved at hospital morgue |
| Case details | Not immediately available |
Authorities are expected to follow due legal procedures, including possible autopsy and notification of the deceased’s family. Meanwhile, the case underscores the pressing need for reforms in prison healthcare services to prevent similar incidents in the future.