Mother sues Chattogram hospital director, 7 doctors over newborn’s death

A woman has filed a case against the director and seven doctors of a private hospital in Chattogram, alleging that medical negligence and improper treatment led to the death of her 10-day-old newborn.

The case was filed on Thursday (18 June) by Amatul Kanun against the director and seven doctors of Shajinaz Hospital Limited.

The accused are Associate Consultant Anwar Hossain, Senior Consultant Faisal Ahmed, paediatric surgeon Adnan Walid, cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon Md Minhazul Hasan, paediatrician Habibur Rahman, cardiothoracic and vascular Surgeon Md Fazle Maruf, laparoscopic surgeon Md Tamim Safayet Chowdhury Alvi, and Director Hasan Mahmud Chowdhury.

According to the case statement, the baby, born on 25 May, developed breathing difficulties shortly after birth. The child was subsequently admitted to the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit.

It says that on 30 May, family members noticed a bandage on the child’s hand and asked doctors about it, but were told it was not a matter of concern.

When the bandage was removed the following day, they allegedly found that the baby’s palm had turned black and the fingers had begun to rot.

The mother alleged that the child’s condition worsened further on 1 June, with gangrene appearing in the fingers of both hands. Doctors then advised the family to take the child to Dhaka for treatment.

Although surgery was later performed, the family alleged there had been serious shortcomings in the treatment process.

The case claims the infection was not fully removed during surgery and that blood vessels were damaged, allowing the infection to spread throughout the body.

The child was later taken to Dhaka for advanced treatment but eventually died, according to the case statement.

The incident drew public attention after Amatul Kanun expressed her anger over the matter on social media and announced plans to take legal action against the hospital and the doctors involved.

Following the allegations, the Chattogram Civil Surgeon’s Office on 15 June formed a three-member committee to investigate the incident and asked it to submit its report within seven working days.

The hospital has denied the allegations of negligence, saying the infant had been admitted with a swollen arm and a cannula already inserted at another medical facility.

Responding to the allegations earlier, Dr Md Faruk Hossain, medical director (affairs) of Shajinaz Hospital, told The Business Standard that the infant’s condition had been critical from the outset.