In the wake of the death of a child during a circumcision procedure at a diagnostic centre in the capital on Tuesday (February 20) evening, Health Minister Dr Samanta Lal Sen has said strict measures will be taken to prevent the repetition of such negligence in future.
In a statement, the minister said on Wednesday (February 21): "I am deeply shocked by this incident. We observed a similar incident a few days ago. It is disheartening to note that despite our efforts, some individuals failed to exercise due caution. Such negligence or disregard for responsibility will not be tolerated under any circumstances."
Dr Samanta Lal Sen also said he will hold an urgent meeting with all the relevant persons in his ministry on Sunday (February 25) regarding the incident.
The minister pledged that if found guilty, stringent measures would not only be imposed on the health centre but all steps will be taken to ensure strict punishment for those responsible in the incident.
"Strict measures will be taken to send a clear message so that no institution should dare to neglect such a serious responsibility in the future," he said.
He added that action will also be taken against doctors if found negligent in their treatment.
The Directorate General of Health Services has already sealed off the JS Diagnostic and Medical Checkup Centre following Ahnaf's death due to a reported use of unauthorised anaesthesia during a circumcision procedure.
Ahnaf's father filed a case with Hatirjheel Police Station over the incident against three individuals, including Dr SM Muqtadir, and five other unidentified persons.
The police have launched an investigation and arrested two doctors of the diagnostic centre.
According to the case statement, Ahnaf's parents admitted him to the hospital for circumcision under the supervision of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgeon Dr SM Muqtadir on Tuesday evening. Ahnaf was taken to the operation theatre around 8:00pm for the procedure. An hour later, it was informed that Ahnaf had died.
Earlier on January 8, a five-year-old child named Ayan died after undergoing circumcision under full anaesthesia at the United Medical College Hospital in Satarkul, Dhaka. Ayan's father Md Shamim Ahmed alleged that his son died due to negligent treatment while being kept on life support at United Hospital from December 31 to January 7.
