A female doctor at Sherpur District Sadar Hospital reportedly asked an 11-year-old patient to leave after her father addressed the doctor as “Apa,” insisting she should be called “Madam.”
The incident occurred on Thursday (September 18) around noon in the duty doctor’s room of the hospital’s emergency department.
The patient, Kazi Masum, a resident of Noyoni Bazar Moholla in Sherpur town, said that around 2:00 pm, he brought his 11-year-old daughter, Jannatul Ferdous Mamiya, to the hospital with stomach pain. The on-duty doctor, Dr. Ananya, prescribed urgent medications. Since the hospital did not have the medicines, Masum went to nearby pharmacies but could not find one of the prescribed drugs after visiting six to seven shops.
Masum returned to the emergency department to consult the medical officer again, only to find that Dr. Ananya had finished her duty and left. The next duty doctor, Dr. Marzia Khatun, was on call. Masum addressed her as ‘Apa’ and said, “One of the medicines prescribed by the previous doctor is not available. Can you provide an alternative?”
According to Masum, Dr. Marzia became angry upon hearing the word ‘Apa’ and said loudly, “Why are you calling me ‘Apa’? Say ‘Madam.’ I am a medical officer. Leave my room immediately.”
Seeing his sick daughter crying, Masum reportedly pleaded, “What wrong have I done by calling you ‘Apa’? Please provide the treatment at least.” Despite this, Dr. Marzia allegedly scolded him several times and asked them to leave the room.
When contacted, Dr. Marzia said, “I will not discuss the matter with anyone without my higher authorities.”
Dr. Taheratul Ashrafi, the hospital’s Residential Medical Officer (RMO), told Jago News, “I have heard about the incident. Perhaps it was said by mistake. However, an official complaint or direct discussion is required, and the person should come on Saturday.”
District Civil Surgeon Dr. Shahin Mia told Jago News, “Calling someone ‘Apa’ or ‘Bhai’ is a gesture of affection. We have chosen this profession to serve people. I had not heard of today’s incident until now, but I am looking into it.”