<i>Quack puts a boy's life in danger</i>
A quack has put the life of an eleven-year-old boy in danger in Nuniapara village of Dimla upazila.
Wrong treatment for the broken bone by quack Abu Kabiraj caused serious sepsis in schoolboy Abdur Rahim's arm.
However, Rahim's condition improved after taking treatment at Rangpur Medical College Hospital. But doctors say it might take at least a year for him to be fully cured.
Victim's father Moksed Ali of Nuniapara village of Dimla upazila said, “My son broke his left arm in cycle accident around two and a half months ago. I took him to Dimla upazila health complex the next day. But at the hospital gate, a few men surrounded us and almost forcibly took us to Abu Kabiraj (herbal expert) of Uttar Titpara village.”
“Abu demanded Tk 5000 as first instalment of treatment cost. I could only give Tk 3000. Although it apparently annoyed him but he started my son's treatment”, Moksed added.
“Abu Kabiraj at first strongly pressed and pulled Rahim's injured hand causing much pain. Then he began to rub some black, warm oil on the affected part, saying it is very effective for broken bones. He then bandaged the arm with a piece of dirty cloth after applying a kind of paste", Moksed said.
Hasina Begum, Rahim's mother informed that her son became sick and depressed from that very day and his condition continued deteriorating. The quack still refused to remove the bandage ignoring our requests, she said.
After 20 days, a relative of Rahim informed the matter to Dr Rezaul Kabir Sajib, residential medical officer (RMO) of Dimla upazila health complex and requested him to visit bed-ridden Rahim.
Dr Sajib said, “I had to enter the patient's room with handkerchief on my nose because of stink. I was horrified to see red and black pus all over the rotten flesh hanging from the child's hand.”
“If he were left in such state for some more days it would have been difficult to save his life”, the RMO added.
The boy's parents took him back home due to financial hardship after 45 days of treatment at Rangpur Medical College Hospital under Professor Dr Zahedul Islam and Dr Momen.
Dr. Sajib is continuing the treatment of Rahim now.
Mohabbat Hossain, who resides near Dimla hospital, said, “Abu Kabiraj keeps his `agents' at the hospital gate to allure simple hearted patients. He then intentionally worsens the patient's condition to squeeze out more money.”
This correspondent's attempts to contact Abu Kabiraj failed as he went into hiding a few days ago.
Civil Surgeon of Nilphamari Abdur Rashid Akond said he could not take any action against the quack as he is 'not empowered to do so'.
Mizanur Rahman, the upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) of Dimla said, “If anybody lodges a complaint then I would definitely take action in this regard.”
Hasinur Rahman, eldest brother of Rahim, said, “An attempt to hand over Abu to police made by enraged local youths was thwarted by some of his relatives like Lebu Master, Toibul and Abul."
"They also threatened us with dire consequences if we file any case with the police he said.”
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