An elderly woman reportedly over 90 years in age, was abandoned by her son who says he could not bear her expenses due to a financial crisis.
On February 17, Sufia Khatun, mother of Mokhlesur Rahman, was left abandoned at the Gouripur bus stand area in Comilla's Daudkandi upazila. She is visually impaired and has also been suffering from partially hearing impairment.
When Mokhlesur took her to the bus stand that day she initially couldn't understand what was happening and began crying when she realized that her son had left her there. At one point the upazila administration took responsibility for her and admitted her to the Daudkandi Upazila Health Complex, where she has been staying for the last four months.
The Upazila administration contacted Mokhlesur and brought him to the hospital the next day where he explained his economic hardship and said he is unable to take responsibility for his mother.
Mokhlesur said: "Nine years ago my wife left me and stopped contacting me due to financial hardship. I sell chanachur on buses and am currently staying at my in-laws house. I am unable to look after my mother."
UNO Kamrul Islam Khan said: "At the moment we cannot transfer her to an old people’s home in Chittagong or Comilla. If anyone wants to take her responsibility, a house will be built for her and she will be given a ration card and other necessary facilities."
Md Shahinur Alam, upazila health and family planning officer said: "The woman is in good health but is psychologically unwell. During the Covid-19 pandemic it's not entirely safe for her to stay at a hospital."