Pilot's Death: Sister accuses pvt hospital of negligence
A Jordanian-American pilot has died due to the negligence of a reputed private hospital in Dhaka, his sister has alleged.
Tala Ilhendi Josephano yesterday said her late brother Gulf Air pilot Mohammad Youssef Hassan Al Hendi was not given timely and proper treatment at the United Hospital after he had a heart attack.
"I have come all the way to Bangladesh only to seek justice for my brother's murder. My brother was a victim of mistreatment and murder,'' the US resident told a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity.
Tala said she would take legal action against the Gulf Air and United Hospital.
Meanwhile, the hospital in a statement said the allegations of mistreatment and medical negligence were "completely false and fabricated".
Tala, a dual citizen of Jordan and the US, said her brother was a healthy person. He went to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on the night of December 14 from his hotel in Dhaka.
He was admitted to United Hospital after suffering a heart attack during the immigration process.
Tala alleged her brother suffered three more heart attacks after he was admitted to the hospital at 5:30am. But no cardiologist attended him and proper treatment of his heart was not initiated.
"Even after an hour and twenty five minutes after the first cardiac arrest, they could not administer proper treatment to bring my brother back to consciousness. They could not even refer him to a cardiologist for proper consultation," she said.
Mohammed Youssef Hassan Al Hendi lived in Bahrain with his wife and two children.
Tala alleged that the United Hospital authorities did not provide her brother's medical information and documents when she sought those. Instead, the hospital's CCTV footage and documents were tampered with, she said.
About Gulf Air, she said the Bahrain based airlines did not send any official to the hospital to perform the duty of the guardian in the absence of the family.
"Gulf Air did not appear to take any steps to ensure proper treatment for my brother," she added.
United Hospital in the statement said Youssef was brought to the hospital in a critical condition around 4:45am on December 14. His colleagues said, as he was unconscious, CPR was given for four to five minutes at the airport.
"Around one and a half months after the incident, a woman identified herself as his sister and asked for CCTV footage from the day of the incident and medical records containing the patient's personal details. As per the hospital's rules, we have requested her to apply with proof of her identity and relationship with the patient to get the information. She has not contacted us since then," the statement said.
Despite repeated attempts, officials of Gulf Air could not be reached over the phone.