Child dies during surgery in Kushtia

KUSHTIA, Apr 28: A six-year-old girl named Tasnia Afrin died following the administration of anesthesia during surgery at the Ekota Private Hospital in the Mollategoria area in Kushtia Sadar Upazila on Monday night. 

She was the daughter of Tarikul Islam from Sanpukuria Village in Kumarkhali Upazila. 

According to family sources, Tasnia broke her left arm after falling from the stairs of her house some days ago. She was admitted to Ekota Private Hospital on Monday afternoon and to the operation theater at 7 pm where Kushtia Medical College Hospital Assistant Professor Dr Abdul Hadi and Anesthesiologist Dr Taherul Al Amin conducted a surgery. Tasnia reportedly died within minutes of being administered anesthesia. As the news spread, an angry mob vandalised the hospital premises. Later, police and army personnel arrived at 11 pm, and took the two doctors into custody.

"Tasnia died due to a wrong application of anaesthesia or medical negligence. We demand strict justice for this," said the child's uncle Atiar Rahman.

The anaesthesiologist, Dr Taherul Al Amin, said that the child's pre-operative tests were normal. "She died after general anesthesia was administered. She might have suffered a cardiac arrest," he stated.

Saidul Islam, managing director of Ekota Private Hospital, did not comment on the specific dosage or application method.
Kushtia General Hospital Residential Medical Officer Dr Hossain Imam said: "The child might have died due to a cardiac arrest or application of date-expired anesthetics. An autopsy may reveal the cause."

Kushtia Civil Surgeon SM Kamal Hossain confirmed that a probe committee is being formed. "Immediate action will be taken if any negligence is found."

Kushtia Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Kabir Hossain Matubbar said on Tuesday morning: "The family filed no case yet. The body is currently at the hospital morgue."