Cancel United Hospital's licence: Father appeals to DGHS after death of child

Shamim Ahmed, father of Ayaan who allegedly died after a flawed operation by the United Medical College Hospital doctors, has sought cancellation of the hospital's licence after a proper investigation into the death.

"They killed my son. After the incident, we came to know that many others have died because of faulty treatment at the hospital. So, I urge the DGHS to revoke its licence," Shamim said in a letter to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on Wednesday.

The five-year-old child died seven days after the doctors of the hospital's Badda unit conducted a circumcision procedure appling full anaesthesia on 31 December. 

"If their licence is not cancelled, taking medicare at the hospital will pose the risk of claiming more lives. Many parents will lose their children," Ayaan's father said in his letter. 

"So, I request the cancellation of this hospital's licence through appropriate action in line with our country's existing laws," the letter also reads. 

Meanwhile, an investigation committee of the DGHS has asked Shamim Ahmed to provide his statement at the Mugda Hospital at 10:30am on Thursday.

Besides, Ayaan's family will form a human chain in front of the new building of the DGHS at 11:30am today to demand justice for Ayaan's death.

On 31 December, Ayaan was circumcised under a full anaesthesia at United Medical College Hospital in Satarkul Badda, allegedly without any consent from his parents. 

He was transferred to the hospital's Gulshan branch from there as he did not regain consciousness a few hours after the operation was carried out. 

After seven days of keeping him on life support in the paediatric intensive care unit, the doctors declared Ayaan dead early Sunday.

'Arrest of accused doctors within 48 hours'

Shastho Surokkha Andolon, a social organisation working on citizens' health safety, formed a human chain in front of the Jatiya Press Club on Wednesday, demanding arrest of the doctors accused in Ayaan's death. 

Speakers at the human chain also threatened to besiege the hospital if the accused doctors are not arrested within 48 hours.

Coordinator of the health safety movement platform Nazmul Hasan said, "Ayan's death exposed the flaws of our medical system. It is a stark reminder that any of us, whether it's me, you, or someone in our family, could have faced a similar fate. 

This incident calls for collective vigilance against some low-quality treatment prevalent in the country, he added. 

At the human chain, Ayaan's uncle Md Manik expressed deep shock of losing his nephew, emphasising that nobody should endure the same agony. 

"We anticipated that Ayan had passed away earlier but they [hospital authorities] did not reveal it. They disclosed it on election day in an attempt to cover up the incident," he alleged.