Pabna clinic OT closed after 12 post-surgery patients test positive for TB

The health authorities in Pabna’s Faridpur upazila closed the operating theatre of Al-Modina Lab and Hospital, a private clinic in the area, this morning following a tuberculosis (TB) outbreak among patients who had undergone surgery there.

Health officials also formed a three-member probe committee today to investigate the source of the infection.

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At least 12 patients have tested positive for TB in recent weeks, all of whom had undergone surgery -- mostly caesarean sections -- at the facility.

Health officials said the number of cases could rise, as a large number of surgeries had recently been performed at the clinic.

The Daily Star spoke to five of the affected patients, all of whom said they developed symptoms after undergoing surgery at Al-Modina Lab and Hospital.

Taslima Khatun, 21, of Berhaulia village in the upazila, had a cesarean section at the clinic on May 18. While her family celebrated the birth of her child, Taslima soon began suffering from persistent health issues.

A month after the surgery, she made repeated visits to the facility because her surgical wound was not healing properly. She was later diagnosed with TB in Rajshahi last month.

“She suffered a lot for over a month following the surgery. When I took her to Rajshahi, doctors diagnosed her with TB infection, which was preventing the wound from healing,” Md Abu Rayhan, Taslima’s husband, told The Daily Star.

He added that his wife had no prior history or symptoms of TB before her procedure and is now receiving treatment at Faridpur Upazila Health Complex.

Similarly, Shushanto Kundu reported that his daughter, Joya Rani, 20, developed TB infection following a cesarean section at the clinic on May 25.

"She has not recovered in three months. While she receives free medication from the health complex, our family is struggling to afford the nutritious food required for her recovery," he said.

Mita Khatun, 32, who gave birth at the clinic on May 2, expressed deep anxiety over her health. "I have suffered from illness and severe weakness for three months. Since being diagnosed with TB, I am deeply worried about my newborn's health," she said.

Dr Md Rashedul Hasan Shaon, Faridpur upazila health officer, confirmed that 12 surgical patients have tested positive for TB so far, most of whom were diagnosed this month after undergoing operations a few months ago.

"Following the post-surgery infections, we issued a show-cause notice to Al-Modina Lab and Hospital for an explanation and asked them to suspend operations, but they initially continued," Dr Rashedul said.

A probe committee led by Dr Ashikur Rahman, residential medical officer (RMO) of Faridpur Upazila Health Complex, was formed today. The committee has been directed to submit a report within seven working days.

Following directions from the district health administration, a health inspection team visited the clinic this morning to seal the operating theater temporarily and instruct management to replace surgical equipment.

Contacted, Dr Nazrul Islam, RMO at Al-Modina Lab and Hospital, acknowledged the connection to the cases and said the clinic had replied to the show-cause notice.

“We inspected our operating theater, laboratory, and surgical tools. We suspect the bacteria may have contaminated a diathermy unit used to control surgical bleeding, which we have since replaced,” Dr Nazrul said.

He added that the operating theater was sanitised. Most of the infected patients underwent surgery in May and no new cases have been reported since May, he added.

Dr Sabera Sultana Bishwas, gynecological consultant at 250-bed Pabna General Hospital, explained that patients could contract TB in several ways post-surgery.

“Environment plays a vital role. Patients can contract TB from surrounding spaces. Furthermore, many people carry latent TB germs that only activate when the immune system weakens, such as after surgery. Contamination can also spread from an improperly maintained operating room,” she said.

She added that without a full investigation, the exact cause of contamination remains unconfirmed.

As the clinic performs approximately 60 to 70 surgeries each month, officials caution that additional cases may emerge.

Dr Md Abul Kalam Azad, civil surgeon of Pabna, said official action will follow the investigation.

“The investigation committee is currently working to determine the cause of the infections. Once we receive the report, appropriate steps will be taken if negligence is found,” he said, assuring that the affected patients can be fully cured with proper treatment.