Outrage over patient's death in Bhola

A toddler died allegedly of negligence at a clinic in Bhola soon after a ward boy administered him antibiotic injection on Wednesday night.

According to the boy's father, Ratan Chandra Dey, his son died around 11:00pm as Ward Boy Nipu injected 1gm of Seftron brand intravenous antibiotic in the body of his two-year-old son Adittya Chandra Dey.

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Aditya was admitted to Habib Medical Centre in the town with respiratory illness and Dr Abdul Bareq of the clinic instructed the ward boy to administer the injection, added Ratan, who is an office assistant at the Bhola deputy commissioner's office.

Police held Dr Bareq -- a business partner of the clinic and employed as a physician at Doulatkhan Upazila Health Complex -- after irate relatives of the victim along with hundreds of locals thronged the place in protest at the negligence by the doctor as well as the hospital authorities.

They brought out a procession and demanded exemplary punishment to the physician responsible for the child's death. At one stage the mob ransacked the clinic, owned by Dr ATM Mizanur Rahman, former director of the health department. 

Police led by a magistrate arrived at the scene and took Dr Bareq in their custody to contain further violence, said Khairul Kabir, officer-in-charge of Bhola Sadar Model Police Station.

Necessary lawful measures will be taken after due investigation once a case is filed in this regard, he added.

Local community leaders also visited the spot and assisted the law enforcers quell the situation. They demanded investigation into the incident and punishment of the physician if he is found responsible for the death of the child.     

Dr Bareq denied of any wrongdoing, saying he was uncertain why the patient died, as there was nothing wrong in his treatment.

Owner of the clinic, Dr Mizan, said a ward boy should not have administered the injection on the child. However, he overruled any possibility of negligence during the treatment of the patient. 

Family sources said they were preparing to file a murder case. No case was filed till the filing of this report.