Ayaan's death after circumcision: Probe finds United Medical College Hospital 'institutionally responsible'
Committee calls for closure of all unauthorised hospitals and clinics to prevent similar incidents
A probe committee, formed by the High Court, has found United Medical College Hospital in the capital's Satarkul "institutionally responsible" for the death of five-year-old Ayaan Ahmed following a circumcision procedure.
In its report, the committee has recommended disciplinary action against two doctors and the hospital, and also suggested providing financial compensation to Ayaan's parents.
Following a partial hearing of the report today, the High Court bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debashish Roy Chowdhury set 28 January for the next hearing, as stated by the writ petitioner, advocate ABM Shahjahan Akand.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Furthermore, the probe committee has called for the closure of all unauthorised hospitals and clinics across the country to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The findings
The investigation report stated, "The expert investigation committee has determined that United Medical College Hospital in Satarkul is institutionally responsible for the tragic death of Ayaan Ahmed."
The hospital had been providing medical services without obtaining the required authorisation or approval from the Directorate General of Health Services, it said.
The report further noted, "The hospital lacked both the proper environment for conducting surgeries and the necessary facilities to manage post-surgical emergencies. Furthermore, the hospital's demand for a payment of Tk5,77,257 before releasing Ayaan's body was both unethical and inhumane."
The shocking death
Earlier on 20 February last year, the HC formed the probe committee led by Professor Dr ABM Maksudul Alam of Suhrawardy Hospital to investigate potential medical negligence in the death of Ayaan and identify those accountable for the incident.
As per the information provided in the petition, Ayan was taken by his parents to United Medical College Hospital for circumcision on 31 December 2023. Anesthesia was administered to the child around 9:00 am.
Allegations surfaced that doctors performed Ayan's circumcision under "general anaesthesia" without proper permission. Later, he was transferred to United Hospital in Gulshan as he did not regain consciousness.
The child was placed on life support in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) there, and the physician declared him dead at midnight on 7 January last year.
Ayaan's father Md Shamim Ahmed filed the case with Badda Police Station against several persons including Saeed Sabbir Ahmed, an anesthesia specialist, and Tasnuva Mahzabeen, a surgeon, of the hospital.
