A three-year-old boy died after drowning in a pond in Kushtia’s Mirpur upazila on Friday, prompting an outburst at the local health complex in which parts of the hospital were vandalised and two doctors were injured.
The incident took place at around 10am on Friday (18 September) at the 50-bed Mirpur Upazila Health Complex in the Naodapara area.
The deceased was identified as Rafi Hossain, son of Sabbir Hossain of Naodapara village under Phulbaria Union. According to information available, the child fell into a pond and was subsequently rescued by his family members and others nearby.
Rafi was taken to the Mirpur Upazila Health Complex in a critical condition. Doctors on duty examined him after he was brought to the facility and declared him dead.
News of the child’s death quickly spread among his relatives and local people, leading to tension at the hospital. A group of relatives and local residents allegedly vandalised several parts of the health complex, including the room of the medical officer.
Two doctors were injured during the incident. They were identified as medical officer Dr Abdus Samad and resident medical officer Dr Jannatul Riya.
Police from Mirpur Police Station went to the hospital after receiving information about the incident and brought the situation under control.
The child’s family has alleged that medical negligence was responsible for Rafi’s death. However, the relatives have denied allegations that they behaved badly with the doctors or were involved in the reported vandalism.
Dr Jannatul Riya said medical staff understood the grief of relatives who had lost a loved one and viewed their distress with sympathy. She said, however, that attacks and vandalism at an emergency healthcare facility could seriously disrupt medical services.
The incident has also raised concerns about the impact of unrest inside a healthcare facility, particularly when emergency treatment is being provided to other patients. Disruption in such circumstances can affect doctors, nurses and other staff as well as patients who may require immediate attention.
Police said they were taking steps to identify those involved in the vandalism.
Mirpur Police Station officer-in-charge Mohammad Shahidul Islam said efforts were under way to identify and arrest those responsible for the damage at the hospital.
The circumstances surrounding Rafi’s death, including the family’s allegation of medical negligence, remain a matter for the relevant authorities to examine. No independent finding establishing medical negligence has been cited in the information available about the incident.
The episode has left two separate concerns in focus: the family’s demand for an explanation over the child’s death and the need to maintain a safe environment for doctors and patients inside the health facility. Further investigation will be necessary to establish what happened during the child’s treatment and who was responsible for the reported damage at the hospital.
