<i>Doc's negligence claims life of 6-yr-old Musarrat</i>
Alleges grandfather
Speakers at a press conference yesterday alleged that neglect and failure of doctors at Square Hospital in the city to timely administer correct treatment led to the death of a six-year-old girl diagnosed with dengue shock syndrome.
The child Musarrat Binte Alam was declared dead in the hospital after cardiac arrest on August 8 at 11:50am. It was stated in her death certificate that she died of dengue shock fever and major organ failure.
Dengue shock syndrome or dengue haemorrhagic fever occurs when a person has immunity to one form of dengue virus as a result of previous infection, making that person more susceptible to more serious forms of the disease.
Dr Abdus Sabur, associate professor at National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases and grandfather of the deceased child Musarrat Binte Alam, organised the press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity.
Dr Sabur said Musarrat was admitted to Square Hospital in paediatric intensive care unit on August 7 around 12:56am and diagnosed with dengue shock syndrome.
“After the diagnosis I asked them (the doctors) to give her ionotropic support (to increase the blood pressure) to keep her kidney and heart in good condition and to prevent the risk of organ dysfunction.
“But they said it was not needed,” said Dr Sabur, adding that he did not pursue the issue after the doctors refused.
“But approximately nine hours later (around 10:00am) they gave her ionotropic support after she had already gone into shock,” he added.
If doctors fail to insert a cannula (access for intravenous infusion or injection) on the hand once or twice, they switch to central venous tube to administer the fluid through a large vein on the neck, he said.
But the doctors there tried for three hours (from 7:30pm to 10:30pm) to insert the cannula in her hand and only afterwards did they use the central venous tube, he added.
They transfused four litres of saline but there was no renal output and fluid accumulated in her lungs, which came up in an X-ray. But Dr Masudur Rahman, the consultant, paid no heed and said it was normal, Sabur alleged.
When The Daily Star asked Dr Masudur Rahman over phone to comment on the allegations, he said, “I have no comment. You should take it up with mortality morbidity committee for such allegations.”
He said the committee is formed by Square Hospital to deal with such incidents. He, however, hung up before this correspondent could make any further queries.
On contact, Director of medical services of Square Hospital Prof Sanawar Hossain refused to comment.
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