Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) found no evidence of a doctor’s absence or negligence by hospital authorities during its preliminary inspection into the death of nine-month-old Ayan Abdullah at Padma General Hospital in Kathalbagan, Dhaka.
However, health authorities have decided to form an investigation committee to probe the child’s death, medical services, hospital infrastructure, allegations of charging extra fees, and doctor referrals.
A DGHS team inspected the hospital at around 10am on Monday, speaking with the hospital manager and doctors for about an hour before briefing journalists at around 11:30am.
Professor Md Zahid Raihan, additional director general (administration) of the DGHS, added that the child had physical complications and was suffering from several diseases, including food getting stuck in his food pipe and septicemia towards the end.
According to the DGHS, Ayan was admitted to the hospital on 1 September with congenital defects, food lodged in his food pipe, and other physical complications. His condition deteriorated while in the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) on last Sunday night, and he later died.
Hospital medical officer and consultant Dr Nazmul Haque said the child was well until 8pm, suddenly suffered a cardiac arrest, and stopped breathing around 9pm, adding that the hospital had planned to discharge him the following day.
Allegations of negligence and doctor absence
Following the death, the child’s relative Asif Hasan went live on Facebook around 1am on Sunday night, alleging treatment negligence and that doctors were absent.
Asif alleged that when the family wanted to see the child, hospital authorities barred them from doing so, and upon entering the PICU, they found him dead with no doctor responding to their calls. He also alleged that the hospital had charged more than Tk200,000 for the treatment.
Hospital authorities rejected the claim that doctors were absent, with administrative officer Zahirul Islam Anik stating that doctors and nurses are present 24 hours a day and that CCTV footage could clarify attendance.
Hospital manager Sirajul Islam stated that doctors were present, but during the live video, the relative threatened to kill the doctor, forcing the medical staff to take shelter in a room to save their lives.
The DGHS team also confirmed finding no evidence to support allegations of doctor absence.
Professor Raihan explained that two doctors, including consultant Dr Nazmul Haque, were present at the hospital, but moved to another room for security reasons after a commotion broke out.
Vandalism claims and police action
Hospital authorities further alleged that the child’s relatives vandalised the hospital, damaged valuable medicines and medical equipment, and assaulted several nurses during the incident.
However, hospital authorities could not show any CCTV footage to support the allegations, and the relatives denied the claims. Describing the vandalism at the PICU as a criminal offence, Professor Raihan noted that hospital authorities could seek legal assistance if they wished.
Police arrived at the hospital following an argument and tension between relatives and staff, bringing the situation under control before handing over the body to the family with administrative assistance.
The child’s mother objected to an autopsy, stating that the child’s body would have to be cut open, and the body was subsequently taken away for burial without an autopsy.
PICU bed shortages and doctor referrals
Meanwhile, a relative of another child admitted to the PICU, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that they had come from Noakhali with a seven-day-old infant after trying unsuccessfully to secure a PICU bed across several government and private hospitals.
Following Ayan’s death, the family considered moving their child to another hospital but could not find an available bed elsewhere and were concerned about the risks of transferring a critically ill child.
Doctors at Padma General Hospital and other facilities advised the family to continue treatment there considering the child’s condition.
Several other patients’ relatives also stated that they had come to Padma General Hospital after failing to find PICU beds at the government children’s hospital, with some arriving through ambulance drivers and others on the advice of doctors at the children’s hospital.
Asked about doctor referrals and brokers, Professor Raihan expressed shame on behalf of the DGHS, noting that while bed shortages force hospitals to turn patients away, the issue will be given importance in the investigation.
He stated that an investigation committee will probe all aspects, including the child’s death, infrastructure, and extra fee collection, with appropriate action to be taken based on any findings of negligence in the final report.
