Family of infant, now in NICU after getting wrong injection, demands Ctg hospital cover future treatment, warns of legal action

The family of a newborn mistakenly given an injection prescribed for his mother at a Chattogram hospital has demanded written assurance that the hospital will cover any future treatment linked to the incident, warning of court action if it does not.

The baby’s father, Mohammad Hasan, and family lawyer Mohammad Omar Chowdhury made the demand at a press conference at the Centre for Specialised Care and Research (CSCR) this afternoon (8 September), with Omar saying the family was examining the incident from a legal perspective and would move the High Court if necessary.

“We want a decision that will set a precedent for preventing such incidents in the healthcare sector,” he said.

The family said CSCR should take responsibility for any future complications found to have resulted from the injection and bear the related treatment costs.

Omar said responsibility should not be limited to the suspended nurse, as staff training, duty allocation and supervision also fall under hospital management.

He said the matter required deeper investigation because the baby’s mother had repeatedly told the nurse that the injection was meant for her, not the newborn.

The family said the baby continues to suffer from heart and lung problems, breathing difficulties and what they described as a blood infection. CSCR, however, has said it has not established whether the injection caused the baby’s subsequent complications.

Shakila Yasmin gave birth at CSCR on Saturday. As she has A-negative blood and the newborn has A-positive blood, CSCR gynaecologist Dr Taslima Banu prescribed Rhophylac 300 for the mother.

The injection is given to an Rh-negative mother after the birth of an Rh-positive baby to help prevent complications in future pregnancies.

The family alleged that nurse Shafia Akter administered the injection to the newborn despite Shakila saying it had been prescribed for her.

After the baby’s condition deteriorated, he was initially taken to CSCR’s neonatal intensive care unit and later transferred to Evercare Hospital Chattogram for advanced treatment.

CSCR acknowledged the medication error, suspended Shafia on 6 September and formed a three-member investigation committee. A medical board comprising specialist doctors was also formed.

The hospital said an echocardiogram detected an atrial septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus and pulmonary hypertension in the baby but said no direct link with the injection had yet been established.

“We do not want to make unfounded allegations against anyone. But the family cannot be left uncertain about the child’s future treatment,” Omar said.

We will not move from our position until we receive written assurance. If necessary, we will go to the High Court, he added. 

Meanwhile, Hasan alleged that Panchlaish police refused to accept a written complaint when the family went to the police station on last night and instead advised them to settle the matter.

Panchlaish Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Mozammel Haque denied the allegation, saying Hasan and three other family members had visited the station to inform police about the incident but did not submit a written complaint.

“They only came to inform us about the matter. I did not advise anyone to settle it. If they submit a written complaint, we will accept it and take legal action,” he said.

Mozammel said police had also visited the hospital after learning about the incident and would investigate if a written complaint was filed.