The High Court on Thursday ordered an inquiry into an incident at Bhuapur Upazila Health Complex in Tangail, where a child was allegedly administered a rabies vaccine instead of a measles shot on Wednesday.
The HC bench of Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Fatema Anwar issued the order after hearing a public interest writ petition.
The court also directed the government to take immediate steps to ensure proper treatment for the child.
In its observation, the bench asked why the child’s family should not be awarded Tk50 lakh in compensation and directed the authorities concerned to respond within four weeks.
Barrister Mohammad Humayun Kabir Pallab appeared for the petitioner. He had filed the writ on behalf of Law and Life Foundation Trust.
According to the petition, Mow Khatun took her 1-month-and-5-day-old child, Fatiha, to the vaccination centre of the health complex at noon on Wednesday for a measles vaccination.
At that time, health inspector Mohammad Kayum, who was on duty, allegedly administered two doses of Rabivax rabies vaccine instead of the measles vaccine.
The child’s condition reportedly deteriorated soon afterwards, and the incident came to light after relatives protested. Panic spread among guardians of other children present at the facility.
It has been alleged that after Mohammad Kayum retired, assistant health inspector Nurul Islam Nuru was supposed to be in charge. However, as Nurul Islam was absent, Kayum reportedly continued vaccination duties.
The child’s family alleged that Kayum and Nurul Islam misbehaved when they protested, and accused health officials of negligence, demanding punishment for those responsible.
Kayum said the rabies vaccine was administered by mistake instead of the measles vaccine and termed it an unintentional error.
Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Lutfur Rahman Azad called the incident unfortunate, adding that Kayum had already retired but was brought back to assist in the vaccination programme.