Dengue patient dies in ICU, family outraged by exorbitant bill within 24 hours of admission.

Rafsan Mohammad (22) has tragically died from dengue fever at the private Imperial Hospital in the Pahartali area of ​​Chattogram city. His relatives have expressed deep anger and dissatisfaction with the hospital authorities for generating a medical bill exceeding 2.5 lakh Taka after just one day of treatment.

The deceased, Rafsan, was a resident of Ward No. 7, Tulatali, in the Faujdarhat area of ​​Sitakunda Upazila, Chattogram district.

According to his family, Rafsan had been suffering from a high fever for several days. Medical tests conducted upon a doctor’s advice confirmed he had dengue. As his condition deteriorated rapidly, he was admitted to Imperial Hospital in the city around 12:00 PM yesterday, Monday (September 14). Upon admission, his platelet count and overall condition were critical, prompting doctors to advise an immediate transfer to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Following this advice, he was moved to the ICU and treatment began.

However, while on life support, Rafsan breathed his last around 2:00 PM today, Tuesday (September 15). Despite the doctors’ best efforts, the young man passed away at the age of just 22.

Relatives allege that before they could even process the grief of losing their loved one, hospital authorities handed them a massive medical bill of 2 lakh 76 thousand Taka. Less than 24 hours had elapsed between his admission and his death. The family and locals are deeply dissatisfied, questioning how a bill of nearly 2.75 lakh Taka could be generated in such a short time.

Expressing his frustration, a family member said, “We are devastated by the loss of our loved one, yet the hospital has handed us a bill for nearly 2.75 lakh Taka. How can the bill amount to so much in just one day? Private hospitals are fleecing ordinary people and holding them hostage in the name of medical treatment.” Upon learning of the incident, local residents protested against the hospital’s unusual and unreasonable billing practices. Concerned locals have demanded an immediate administrative investigation and action against private hospitals for charging exorbitant fees and extracting excessive payments under the guise of medical care.

Although attempts were made to contact the Imperial Hospital authorities regarding the incident, no official statement could be obtained immediately. Amidst the ongoing dengue situation and concerns over the skyrocketing costs of medical care, this incident has sparked widespread discussion across the city.