10-month-old dies under lockdown

A 10-month-old with breathing problems died at a house that had been locked down since April 29 in Lalmonirhat Sadar town.

Family members alleged that the baby could not be taken to hospital on time due to the lockdown, resulting in the death on Tuesday morning.

Zillur Rahman, grandfather of the child, said his house in Banvasa intersection area of the town was locked down on April 29 by ward councillor Mukul Hossain, as some of his relatives from Dhaka had visited the house.

On the night of May 4, the physical condition of Zillur's grandson, who had been suffering from respiratory disease since birth, deteriorated. However, they could not take him to a hospital due to the lockdown, Zillur said.

He also alleged that they repeatedly tried to communicate with the ward councillor through mobile phone, but he did not respond.

When they finally managed to go out on Tuesday morning, the child died on the way to the hospital. The baby's life could have been saved if they could take him to a hospital on time, Zillur lamented.

Contacted, ward councillor Mukul Hossain said he did not get any phone call from the family on Monday night. He said he arranged for an ambulance on Tuesday morning after hearing of the issue but unfortunately the baby died on the way to the hospital.

Asked about the lockdown, Mukul said it was enforced for the greater interest of all residents living in the area. The local administration and health department were aware of it, he added.

Mahfuz Alam, officer-in-charge of Lalmonirhat Sadar Police Station, said he sent a police team when the house was locked down, following recommendation of the local coronavirus protection committee.

The district's Civil Surgeon Dr Nirmalendu Roy said the baby's sample had been collected for Covid-19 test.