2 die after operations at unregistered clinics

The incidents created an outrage in the upazila.

The two unregistered clinics are still operating defying an order from Satkhira Civil Surgeon to shut their business.

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Earlier, in April this year, Satkhira Civil Surgeon (CS) had ordered closure of the two clinics as they had no licence, qualified doctors, necessary equipment and operation theatre.

One of the victims--Romesa Khatun, 35, wife of Akbar Hossain of Islampur village in Shyamnagar upazila-was admitted to Janaseba clinic for treatment of uterus complications on September 23. She was mother of three children.

She was operated upon on September 25 but died on Saturday allegedly due to faulty operation.

There are allegations that Director of the unregistered clinic himself had been cheating patients by impersonating a qualified doctor. He used degrees like MBBS and MD on his letter pad though he had no such academic qualification.

Romesa's relatives claimed that the director of the clinic after several tests advised her to undergo operation.

The operation was done at the so-called operation theatre at Janaseba clinic on September 25 by an assistant surgeon of Satkhira Sadar Hospital. Days after the operation and her release from the clinic, she felt pain in the operated area.

As her condition deteriorated, she was admitted at another clinic on October 14 with pain in the abdomen. A doctor there conducted another operation on the same day (October 14) and found blood-mixed gauge and bandage inside her abdomen.

He removed the gauge and bandage from her abdomen but the patient died later.

When contacted, the doctor said he had operated upon Romesa under light of a lantern because of load shedding. "I would not tell you anything more regarding this", he said.

The other victim--Khaleda Khatun, 24, wife of Zahurul Islam of Paukhali village in Kaligonj upazila-was admitted to Janani Nursing Home at Shyamnagar upazila headquarters with serious abdominal pain on the morning of October 14.

After several tests, she was operated upon by a doctor of Tala Upazila Health Complex. The patient died soon after the operation due to faulty operation, her husband Zahurul Islam alleged.

The doctor could not be contacted despite repeated attempts over cell phone.

Talking to this correspondent, some local people alleged that government rules are being ignored by some clinics which are deceiving patients, often leading to serious complications and death.

This correspondent tried in vain to contact the Satkhira Civil Surgeon over phone regarding the deaths. Responding to the first call, his private assistant Shahnewaj said 'Sir is now in toilet, please phone 10 minutes later'. Phoned twice after 10 minutes, he replied, "Sir is now out of his office'.