Medical Negligence Alleged Following Infant’s Death in Noakhali

A local community in Noakhali has been plunged into grief and anger following the tragic death of a six-month-old infant at the Begumganj Upazila Health Complex. The family of the deceased, an infant girl named Arohi, has alleged that fatal negligence by nursing staff and the administration of an injection led to the child's untimely passing on Tuesday morning.

Details of the Incident

Arohi, the daughter of Zahir Uddin from the Nazirpur area of Choumuhani Municipality, was brought to the health complex at approximately 11:30 AM on 24 February. Her mother, Salma Akter, had sought urgent medical attention for the child, who was reportedly suffering from severe pneumonia.

According to the bereaved relatives, a nurse in the emergency department displayed "gross negligence" while attending to the child. They claim that the infant's condition plummeted immediately after an injection was administered, resulting in her death shortly thereafter. As news of the tragedy spread, distraught family members and locals gathered at the hospital, leading to a period of heightened tension that required police intervention to restore order.

Counter-Claims by Medical Authorities

While the family points towards hospital error, medical officials and local law enforcement have presented a different sequence of events. Abdur Razzak, the In-charge of the Choumuhani Police Outpost, noted that the child was already in a critical state upon arrival.

Investigation revealed that the child had been treated at home for several days prior to hospitalisation. During this period, three to four injections had reportedly been administered privately. When the infant was finally brought to the Health Complex, she already had a cannula inserted in her hand from the previous home treatment.

Medical Breakdown of the Case

Dr Saleh Ahmed Sohel, the Residential Medical Officer (RMO) of the complex, clarified that the child had previously been seen by a consultant, Dr Rafiqul Islam, who had advised immediate hospitalisation. The family allegedly opted against this, choosing to treat the child externally. Upon her return to the hospital on Tuesday, the nursing staff found the existing cannula blocked. It was during the attempt to clear this blockage that the infant succumbed to her illness.

Despite these explanations, the family remains steadfast in their verbal complaints of malpractice. The authorities have assured a thorough review of the incident to determine if any procedural lapses occurred during the final moments of the infant's care.