Teknaf child shot near Myanmar border remains in critical condition
Huzaifa was transferred to NINS on 13 January from Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH) under special medical arrangements
The 12-year-old girl who was shot by a stray bullet allegedly fired from across the Myanmar border in Teknaf, remains in critical condition and is receiving treatment at the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital (NINS) in Dhaka.
Doctors said the child Huzaifa Afnan is currently on mechanical ventilation and her level of consciousness is seven out of 15. A medical board has decided to continue her treatment in Bangladesh for now.
Associate Prof Dr Humayun Kabir Himu of the Department of Interventional Neurology at NINS today (14 January) said, the bullet injury damaged a major blood vessel in Huzaifa's brain, disrupting blood circulation and triggering a stroke.
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"There is increased pressure on the right side of her brain. Her condition remains critical," he added.
Dr Himu mentioned that the medical team has adjusted her medication regimen, particularly administering drugs to reduce intracranial pressure.
"She is still dependent on mechanical ventilation for breathing support," he said.
Huzaifa was transferred to NINS on 13 January from Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH) under special medical arrangements. A bed had been kept ready for her in a post-operative unit, and she was admitted immediately upon arrival.
She was initially admitted to CMCH on 11 January, where she underwent emergency surgery. Surgeons removed part of the right side of her skull to relieve severe pressure caused by the gunshot injury. However, the bullet lodged in her head could not be removed due to the high risk of fatal bleeding.
CMCH Director Brig Gen Taslim Uddin said the bullet is embedded in a highly sensitive position. "Attempting to extract it could cause severe bleeding and may lead to death. Considering the need for advanced neurosurgery and critical care facilities, we referred her to Dhaka," he told The Business Standard.
A multidisciplinary medical board comprising neurosurgeons, neurologists, paediatricians, vascular surgeons, ICU specialists and anaesthesiologists is overseeing Huzaifa's treatment. The board is led by NINS Director Dr Kazi Gias Uddin Ahmed and includes several senior professors and associate professors from the institute.
The incident occurred around 10:30am on 11 January in the Techchi Bridge area of Whykong Union in Teknaf.
Huzaifa, the daughter of Jasim Uddin and a resident of Techchi Bridge village, was struck by a stray bullet allegedly fired from Myanmar's Rakhine State across the border. Another person was also injured in the same incident.
