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Police have found evidence of “negligence and medical malpractice” by three doctors in connection with the death of five-year-old Ayan Ahmed, who died after a circumcision procedure at United Medical College Hospital two years ago.
The accused medical professionals are anaesthesia specialist Syed Sabbir Ahmed, 32, surgeon Tasnuva Mahjabin, 38, and assistant anaesthesia specialist Md Nazim Uddin, 34, bdnews24.com reports.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Ehsanul Islam took cognisance of the charges and issued arrest warrants against them on Thursday.
According to Sub-Inspector Md Kamal Hossain of the Prosecution Division, Tasnuva and Sabbir were on bail but failed to appear in court during the hearing.
The third suspect Nazim remains at large.
The case stems from an incident on Dec 31, 2023 when Ayan’s family took him to the hospital in Satarkul for a routine circumcision. He never regained consciousness after being administered anaesthesia.
He was later moved to United Hospital in Gulshan and kept on life support until he passed away on Jan 7 2024.
Following a long-running probe, Badda Police Station Inspector Yasin Khondoker submitted the charge sheet on Jan 22.
The report concludes that the accusations were proven based on witness testimonies, an expert committee report formed by the High Court, and the postmortem findings.
Medical records included in the chargesheet indicate that Ayan died from respiratory failure triggered by complications from lidocaine hydrochloride and benzodiazepine compounds.
Viscera analysis found traces of lignocaine hydrochloride and benzodiazepine compounds in samples taken from the liver, kidney and blood.
The investigation said the circumcision procedure began under the supervision of the three accused doctors. Sabbir and Nazim administered anaesthetic injections before surgery and remained “involved” throughout the procedure.
The chargesheet also detailed that Shamim Ahmed, a private sector employee, took his only son to United Medical College Hospital on Dec 30, 2023, considering it a modern and advanced facility.
Surgeon Tasnuva reportedly assured the family that circumcisions were carried out there regularly.
She and Sabbir later prescribed several medical tests, after which Ayan was brought back to the hospital the next morning.
Around 9am, Ayan was taken into the operating theatre. Under Tasnuva’s supervision, Sabbir and Nazim administered anaesthetic injections and medicines, asking the family to wait for 20 to 25 minutes while the circumcision was completed.
During the procedure, hospital registrar Rifatullah Kabir entered the operating theatre with medical students and briefly explained the machines and surgical equipment in use before leaving, according to the case documents.
By around 10am, Ayan’s condition began to deteriorate. Doctors attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation and administered further injections when his condition did not improve.
Family members later entered the operating theatre due to delays and frequent movement of hospital staff and saw tubes inserted through two holes in the child’s chest while pressure was applied to his chest.
As Ayan’s condition worsened, he was transferred to United Hospital in Gulshan “without prior discussion” with his guardians. He was placed on life support there.
Shamim said he wanted to move his son to another hospital, but hospital authorities did not allow it. Ayan was eventually declared dead on Jan 7.
After his death, the hospital presented the family with a bill of Tk 577,257 for treatment costs.
Following a heated dispute, Badda police arrived at the scene and sent Ayan’s body to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital for postmortem examination.
The High Court had earlier ordered the formation of an investigation committee following a writ petition.
Its report, reviewed by police, held doctors Tasnuva and Sabbir responsible for “negligence” leading to Ayan’s death.
Speaking to bdnews24.com, Ayan’s father Shamim said the names of United Group’s chairman and others initially accused were not included in the chargesheet.
Even so, he said he was grateful that charges had been filed and hoped to receive justice.