An 11-month-old child's death at Dharmapasha Upazila Health Complex in Sunamganj district has triggered violent protests, with angry locals vandalizing the hospital's emergency department and assaulting a retired medical assistant accused of negligence.
According to a written complaint filed at Dharmapasha Police Station by the infant's father Manik Mia, the child was brought to the hospital on March 22 with severe breathing difficulties.
He alleged that no doctor was available in the emergency department for an extended period. A retired medical assistant, Ranjon Kishor Chaklader, eventually attended to the patient, raising questions about how a retired individual was providing treatment at a government facility.
The complaint further alleged that the duty nurse Sangita Biswas and ward boy Palash Das were busy on their mobile phones instead of attending to the patient. The family said that despite the child's worsening respiratory distress, timely emergency treatment including oxygen was not provided, ultimately leading to the infant's death.
Following the incident, the child's relatives and local residents staged protests in front of the hospital demanding justice. The situation turned violent when the crowd assaulted retired medical assistant Chaklader, injuring him, and vandalized the emergency department.
Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Subir Sarkar said a three-member investigation committee has been formed to look into the matter. He said CCTV footage will be analyzed to identify those responsible, and legal action will be taken accordingly.
Dharmapasha Police Station officer-in-charge Md Shahid Ullah said the situation is currently under control and the written complaint is being verified.
