Attack and Vandalism at Mohammadpur City Hospital After Row Over Treatment Bill Discount

An attack and vandalism were carried out at City Hospital and Diagnostic Centre in the capital's Mohammadpur after a dispute over why a larger discount was not given on a treatment bill. The hospital authorities allege that a group of young men identifying themselves as students of the Graphic Arts Institute carried out the attack.

Mostafizur Rahman Khan, head of the hospital's marketing department, said on Wednesday night that the attack took place at around midnight on Tuesday. He said a patient named Asma Begum came in on Tuesday night for treatment of her lip. The bill came to Tk 5,000. When her relatives asked for a discount, the hospital authorities reduced the bill by Tk 2,000, fixing it at Tk 3,000.

Mostafizur Rahman Khan said that when the relatives asked for a further reduction, another Tk 300 was taken off, making the bill Tk 2,700. They objected to paying even that amount. When the patient was told no further reduction was possible, she paid the bill and left.

A short while later, a group of young men identifying themselves as students of the Graphic Arts Institute came to the hospital. Asking why the bill would not be reduced further, they began vandalising the ground floor. The hospital authorities said the ground-floor glass, seating area and reception were vandalised.

Mostafizur Rahman Khan said the attack was carried out before they could understand what was happening. The hospital authorities believe the young men who carried out the vandalism are students of the college's residential hall, and they allege the attack was planned.

Hospital sources said members of Mohammadpur police station visited the hospital on Wednesday morning over the incident. Members of RAB also visited. The hospital authorities have filed a written complaint with the police station.

Attempts to reach Mohammadpur police station's officer-in-charge, Abdul Halim, by phone several times for comment were unsuccessful. However, an official of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Mohammadpur zone, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the hospital authorities had filed a complaint, that it was being examined, and that no case had yet been filed.