It was running illegally
The clinic where an expecting mother died during a caesarean operation in Rajshahi's Puthia upazila on Wednesday night has been running illegally for the last four months even after the Directorate General of Health Services shut it down in March.
It was shut down after an inspection by the DGHS. But the clinic -- Al-Mahdi Islami Hospital -- continued its operation.
The inspection found that not only its licence expired two years ago, it also did not have any appointed medical staff. Also, the operation theatre was unhygienic and not adequately equipped, said Sanjit Kumar Saha, civil surgeon of Rajshahi.
Meanwhile as of yesterday, police were unable to trace the doctor, or the owner of the private clinic. They also could not trace the broker, who lured the patient to the clinic.
But a family member of the broker claimed that he passed the night at home on Wednesday.
Alam Mollah, driver of a three-wheeler, of Dhopapara village on Wednesday night filed a case with Puthia Police Station accusing seven persons for negligence in treatment, which led to the death of his wife and unborn child.
The accused are: the doctor, whose name Alam said is Jahangir Alam, clinic owner Mansur Rahman, broker Mozahar Ali, nurse Marufa Akther and three unnamed persons.
Alam's wife Panna Begum, 28, and the child were buried at their village home yesterday evening after an autopsy at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH).
Meanwhile, many of the locals also alleged that it was a common practice at the clinic to hire non-professionals to perform surgeries.
Also, police yesterday found that nurse Marufa, arrested on Wednesday evening, was actually serving as a nurse at the children's ward at RMCH.
Marufa told police that the surgeon -- Jahangir Alam -- identified himself as a retired army personnel and a physician. Police were yet to verify his identity. Meanwhile, The Daily Star learnt from the authorities at other clinics of the upazila that Jahangir, hailing from Boro Harishpur of Natore, also went to them searching for job.
But he could not provide any documents proving his identity, they said.
Inspector Rakibul Hassan of Puthia police, the case's investigation officer, said, “We got his mobile number and are trying to trace him.”
Meanwhile, Panna's family is still reeling from the shock.
Her sister Jhorna Begum said Alam, lured by broker Mozahar Ali, took his pregnant wife to the clinic on Wednesday noon.
At the clinic, they did not see any doctor or nurse. “My sister wanted to go to a government hospital. But Mozahar told us not to worry.”
Around 4:00pm, they took Panna to the operation theatre. An hour later, Mozahar came out and told Alam to arrange for blood. Afterwards, he told Alam to call an ambulance for taking her to Rajshahi city.
Minutes later, Mozahar and the clinic owner Mansur Rahman informed Alam about his wife's death. He also said he would compensate him [Alam].
Hearing the news of his wife's death, Alam fainted.
By this time, the doctor and clinic's men fled. Local administration later sealed off the clinic.
Mansur was not found at his Baroipara village home yesterday.
His sister, wishing anonymity, said, “What will you do by writing about my brother, better you forget about it.”
On the other hand, broker Mozahar runs a medicine shop at Dhopapara Bazar in the upazila.
His son, present at the store, said his father was home at Govindapur village on Wednesday night. “He told me to open the store in the morning and said he would come later.”
Meanwhile, police claimed that all of the accused were absconding.
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