International Medical College Hospital has rejected allegations of medical negligence following the death of a patient, Rahela Khatun, stating that the incident is being deliberately misrepresented to mislead the public and damage the reputation of the institution.
The hospital issued the statement after a report published on a YouTube channel raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the death of the 48-year-old patient and the treatment she received.
According to hospital authorities, Rahela Khatun was brought to the emergency department on 21 December 2025 from Ershad Nagar in Tongi and was admitted under the supervision of Professor Dr. Chayedur Rahman, Head of the Department of Medicine.
Medical examinations revealed several serious health conditions, including uncontrolled diabetes (RBS: 18 mmol/L), enteric fever, electrolyte imbalance, jaundice, protein deficiency, and an increased risk of cardiac complications.
Physicians said that swelling in the patient’s legs was caused by low protein levels, which significantly increased the risk of heart failure. To assess her cardiac condition, doctors advised both an electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiography. However, according to the hospital, these tests were not completed by her family members.
Rahela Khatun died at 1:40 a.m. on 29 December 2025 while undergoing treatment.
Following the announcement of her death, her son, Rayhan Hossain, and several relatives allegedly vandalized the hospital’s intensive care unit and a ward on the fifth floor. Hospital officials said nurses and on-duty staff were assaulted during the incident. Officers from Tongi West Police Station later arrived to restore order.
Hospital authorities also stated that Dr. Sheikh Mahmudul Hasan was subjected to abusive behavior when he attempted to speak with the family members that night.
Md. Haider Tanviruzzaman, a lawyer of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, said the patient died from multiple medical complications. He noted that under applicable medical laws, personal liability cannot be attributed to hospital authorities unless institutional negligence or policy failures are established through a formal investigation.
The hospital further alleged that certain individuals are portraying the death as a case of malpractice to serve personal interests. Authorities said social media posts have also attempted to link the incident to the murder of the wife of Mubin Khan, which took place 12 years ago. In that case, the accused driver was arrested by Rapid Action Battalion within 24 hours, and investigators recovered the vehicle along with 67 bhori of gold ornaments.
Hospital officials described the attempt to associate that incident with the death of Rahela Khatun as planned and misleading. They also alleged that renewed coverage of the death nearly three months later, accompanied by personal attacks against Mubin Khan, reflects an orchestrated effort by third parties to spread false information and advance vested interests.
In an official statement, the hospital said the allegation of medical negligence is unfounded and that the matter is currently being investigated by the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI). Md. Mostafizur Rahman Ansari is leading the investigation.
Hospital authorities said they expect the facts surrounding the incident to become clear once the investigation is completed.
