In a developing story of alleged negligence leading to the death of both a newborn and its mother, the Central Hospital located on Dhaka's Green Road has been mandated to pay the bills of Mahbuba Rahman Akhi's treatment incurred at the Labaid Hospital.
This directive is among seven instructions issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) to the Central Hospital, following widespread criticism of the alleged malpractice that led to the newborn's death.
Mahbuba Rahman Akhi passed away on Sunday at the cardiac care unit (CCU) of Labaid Hospital on Sunday.
The tragedy occurred when Mahbuba Rahman Akhi, who had been receiving gynaecological treatment from Professor Dr Sangjukta Saha at Central Hospital, was admitted under the doctor's supervision due to labour pains on the night of June 9.
Despite assurances of a “normal” health condition and possibilities of normal delivery, things took a turn for the worst.
When attempts for a natural birth failed, an emergency caesarean section was performed, resulting in the birth of a child who sadly passed away the following day.
The Central Hospital authority suggested her husband Yakub Ali to shift Akhi to another hospital; thus, Akhi was admitted into Labaid.
This was attributed to "wrong treatment" and alleged negligence by the hospital authorities, according to Akhi's husband, Yakub Ali.
Questions subsequently arose regarding who would be responsible for paying Akhi's treatment cost at Labaid. Several media outlets reported that the Labaid administration stated they would waive the bill for the family if they were pressurized to pay.
However, in accordance with the DGHS directive, all costs are expected to be covered by Central Hospital. This includes the full cost of her treatment and associated complications.
Labaid's Public Relations Officer Chowdhury Meher-E-Khuda Dip reiterated: "Everything will be done in accordance with the DGHS's instruction."
The other directives issued to Central Hospital include an immediate halt to all surgical operations, temporarily keeping Professor Dr Sangjukta Saha out of the hospital's medical activities.
This incident generated a storm of criticism against the treatment system of Central Hospital doctors and Prof Sangjukta Saha.