A woman has died at a government hospital in Chandpur amid allegations of medical negligence from her family over a doctor’s alleged failure to attend to her as her condition worsened.

Hazera Begum, 42, died at Shahrasti Upazila Health Complex around 11:30pm on Friday, police said.

Relatives said the patient’s condition worsened about an hour before her death, but the doctor on duty did not come to see her despite repeated requests.

They alleged that the doctor, who was occupied with her mobile phone, instead instructed them to carry the patient from her bed to the doctor’s room.

The patient died in the hospital’s women’s ward around 11:30pm on Friday, said Mir Mahbubur Rahman of Shahrasti Model Police Station.

She had long been suffering from liver problems.

Hazera was admitted to Shahrasti Upazila Health Complex around 8:30pm on Thursday.

Her husband Akter Hossain said Hazera’s condition deteriorated around 10:30pm on Friday, prompting him to ask the doctor on duty, identified by a single name as Priyanka, to examine her.

Despite repeated requests, he said, the doctor did not come.

Akter alleged that the doctor instead told him to carry Hazera from her bed to the doctor’s room.

When he said he could not manage that alone, the doctor suggested giving the patient oxygen instead, according to Akter.

Hazera died around 11:30pm.

Her husband said he believed the outcome might have been different had she received timely treatment.

When journalists sought comment from Priyanka, hospital cardiology consultant Jayanta Malakar stopped them from speaking with her.

Malakar said he was serving in the capacity of the hospital’s health officer and would respond to questions regarding the allegations.

He said the patient had needed ICU support and that complex liver treatment was not available at the upazila health complex.

Shahrasti Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Abu Naser Shakil said over the phone: “If negligence in duty by the doctor is proven, action will be taken against her according to regulations.”

Mir Mahbubur Rahman said police visited the hospital after being informed of the incident.

He added that legal action would be taken if a complaint was filed.