Teknaf child hit by stray bullet from Myanmar dies after 27-day fight for life
The bullet was lodged in such a sensitive part of her head that it could not be removed, doctors said.
A child hit by a bullet fired during clashes inside Myanmar that had spilt into Bangladesh in Cox's Bazar's Teknaf border area last month died today (7 February) while undergoing treatment at the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital in Dhaka.
Twelve-year-old Huzaifa Afnan passed away at 11:45am, Dr Humayun Kabir Himu, associate professor at the institute, told The Business Standard.
Dr Humayun said that Huzaifa had initially shown signs of improvement and was taken off the mechanical ventilator.
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"Although she was able to breathe on her own at first, her oxygen level later began to drop, and she was placed back on mechanical ventilation last Thursday," he added.
Dr Humayun said that by then, a severe infection had spread in her bloodstream. "The antibiotics were not working, indicating antibiotic resistance. As the infection worsened, Huzaifa went into shock."
"When other medications also failed to respond, she ultimately passed away this morning," he said.
Huzaifa's uncle, Shawkat Ali, told The Business Standard that preparations are underway to take her body to their home in Teknaf after doctors declared her dead.
On the morning of 11 January, Huzaifa was standing in front of her house in the Techchibreeze area of Whykong union in Teknaf when a bullet fired from across the Myanmar border struck her in the head.
The daughter of local resident Zasim Uddin, Huzaifa was first taken to a local hospital and later admitted to the ICU of Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH) that evening.
Although doctors performed surgery, the bullet was lodged in such a sensitive part of her head that it could not be removed.
As her condition deteriorated, Huzaifa was transferred to Dhaka on 13 January for advanced treatment.
Specialists at CMCH had said that attempting to remove the bullet from her brain carried the risk of excessive bleeding and immediate death.
Despite being on life support for nearly four weeks, all efforts ultimately failed.
Leaders of various political parties from the Cox's Bazar-4 constituency expressed deep sorrow over Huzaifa's death.
They conveyed condolences to the bereaved family and demanded that the safety of civilians along the border be ensured.
