Newborn allegedly goes missing from operating theater
Collected Photo
A newborn twin has allegedly gone missing following a cesarean section at a private clinic in Naogaon.
The affected couple claimed that although multiple ultrasonography reports confirmed a twin pregnancy, they were handed only one baby girl after the surgery.
Seeking the missing child and a fair investigation, the baby’s father, Shanto Islam, has filed a written complaint with Naogaon Sadar Police Station.
According to the family, Shantana, a homemaker from Badalgachhi, underwent ultrasonography at two different diagnostic centers on October 12 and 21 after becoming pregnant. Among the reports, Dr. Dina of Naogaon’s Re-Life Diagnostic Center confirmed that she was carrying two live twins.
Later, on the advice of Dr. Mahfuza Khatun, Shantana was admitted to Balaka Clinic in Naogaon town on Thursday afternoon (November 5). She underwent a cesarean section there. However, the family became suspicious and a dispute arose after they were handed only one baby girl following the operation.
Shantana alleged that when she asked about the other baby, the incision in her abdomen was left open without stitches for 30 to 45 minutes inside the operating theater. She also claimed that she was threatened and that a video was recorded during this time.
Shanto Islam further alleged that the clinic authorities had offered a financial settlement to cover up the incident.
However, Dr. Dina, the physician who performed the ultrasonography at Re-Life Diagnostic Center, denied the allegations. She said that due to machine malfunctions, the head of a single baby may sometimes appear as two in an ultrasonography scan. Therefore, there is a possibility that the report contained an error.
Meanwhile, Balaka Clinic owner Enamul Haque denied the allegations of newborn abduction and a financial settlement offer. He claimed that the entire cesarean procedure had been recorded on the clinic’s CCTV cameras. Instead, he alleged that the patient’s relatives had demanded money.
Naogaon Superintendent of Police Mohammad Tarikul Islam said a senior district police official had visited the scene after receiving information about the complaint. He added that an impartial investigation would be conducted based on the affected family’s formal complaint and necessary legal action would be taken against those responsible.
