What if my baby is still alive?

In September 2017, an anxious Harun-ur-Rashid admitted his expecting wife to Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH).

She underwent a caesarean section (c-section) at the hospital's gynaecology ward.

After the operation, the officials at the ward informed him that his wife had given birth to a stillborn baby.

Though the body of the newborn girl was handed over to him, in the discharge certificate it was mentioned that the baby was alive.

And, it has been more than five months, Harun, a rickshaw-puller by profession, is yet to know exactly what had happened to his child.

Harun was narrating his experience at a hearing organised by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and Corruption Resistance Committee, Chittagong yesterday in Shah Alam Bir Uttam Auditorium at CMCH.

“I was handed over the body of a newborn, but I don't know for sure whether it's my baby or not. I also noticed some suspicious activities among the staff on that day,” he said.

“Later, some doctors outside the hospital, after examining the report, said that it was a live birth,” he said.

“I want to know what happened. What if my baby is still alive… somewhere,” said the distraught father.

He also claimed that he wanted to lodge a complaint with the CMCH director but officials there did not allow him to see the director.

Like Harun, 21 others also raised allegations such as mismanagement, bribery, misbehaviour and negligence against a section of doctors, nurses, third and fourth class employees at the hospital.

Many also praised some of the doctors for their professionalism. In total, there were over 200 allegations.

Mohammed Junaid alleged that the staff at many wards did not provide services to the patients if they were not given any money.

Manirul Islam alleged that after admitting his son to the ENT (ear, nose and throat) ward, he did not find any doctor there. “Even the staff at the ward misbehaved with us,” he said. “So I took my son to a private hospital.”

Josna Akter, a resident of Oxygen area, said his son was admitted to CMCH but he was not given the supplied medicine from the hospital.

Many also alleged that “brokers” forced the patients to buy medicines from outside at a higher price.

CMCH Director Brig Gen Jalal Uddin said he would look into the allegations and take actions against those responsible.

ACC Commissioner Dr Nasir Uddin Ahmed said they would evaluate the actions taken by the CMCH authorities after a month.

He suggested the CMCH authorities to arrange such hearings every week and take strict measures against brokers.

“The ACC is an independent institution and it is protected by the constitution,” he said. “…We can talk loudly.”

“If you lodge allegations, specifically against any corrupt person, we would take stern actions,” he said.