A critical patient has died at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barisal following allegations that a staff member removed her oxygen mask to move her trolley for a bribe. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday afternoon, 13 May 2026, sparked significant unrest within the hospital premises, leading to the immediate suspension of the accused employee.
Incident Details and Allegations
The deceased, identified as 40-year-old Dipali Sikdar, was a resident of Purba Khorki village in Mehendiganj Upazila and the wife of Shonkor Sikdar. According to hospital records and family statements, Mrs Sikdar was admitted to the hospital at approximately 3:00 pm with severe respiratory distress. Due to the critical nature of her condition, the attending physician ordered her immediate transfer to the Medicine Department with instructions for continuous oxygen support.
Owing to a shortage of available beds and functional oxygen points, the patient was placed on a trolley and provided with oxygen via a portable cylinder. Her brother, Milon Hawlader, alleged that a staff member named Sohel, assigned to Medicine Unit-1, attempted to move the trolley after receiving 200 BDT from the relatives of another patient. During this process, Sohel reportedly disconnected Mrs Sikdar’s oxygen line. Despite the family’s urgent pleas, the staff member did not reinstate the connection. The patient died within minutes of the oxygen supply being severed.
Case Profile: Incident at Barisal Medical College
| Information Category | Details |
| Patient Name | Dipali Sikdar (40) |
| Date of Incident | 13 May 2026 |
| Location | Medicine Department, Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital |
| Accused Individual | Sohel (Employee, Medicine Unit-1) |
| Alleged Motive | Unauthorised payment of 200 BDT |
| Administrative Action | Immediate suspension and salary freeze |
Administrative and Legal Response
The Hospital Director, Brigadier General Dr A.K.M. Mashiul Munir, confirmed the incident and the subsequent administrative actions. Following a formal complaint, Sohel was suspended, and his salary was ordered to be withheld. Furthermore, a formal inquiry committee has been established to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death and determine subsequent disciplinary measures.
The news of the death led to a physical confrontation between the patient’s grieving relatives and the accused staff member. Hospital security personnel (Ansar) were required to intervene to rescue Sohel from the agitated crowd. According to Ansar member Nithur Ranjan, the situation caused a temporary disruption in medical services and panic among other patients.
The Barisal Kotwali Model Police Station has been notified of the matter. The Officer-in-Charge (OC), Al Mamun-ul-Islam, stated that police officers have inspected the site. A formal legal investigation will commence upon the receipt of a written complaint from the victim’s family. The family has already submitted a written complaint to the Hospital Director, demanding stringent legal prosecution against the accused.