Allegations of Four-Year-Old Child’s Death Due to Medical Negligence at Universal Medical College Hospital in Mohakhali

Allegations of medical negligence, incorrect treatment, and excessive antibiotic use have surfaced following the death of four-and-a-half-year-old child Avan at Universal Medical College Hospital in Mohakhali, Dhaka. The child’s family alleges that treatment continued on suspicion of dengue despite repeated negative test results and that negligence occurred when his condition deteriorated and the family sought to transfer him to another hospital.

According to the child’s father, Md. Mridul Islam, Avan was admitted to Universal Medical College Hospital on September 28 with a mild fever and abdominal pain. Doctors reportedly began treating him for suspected dengue. However, the family claims that repeated blood tests and dengue tests returned negative results.

Overcome with grief, Mridul said his son had arrived at the hospital on foot and had been able to eat during the first few days of treatment. He said the family had videos showing the child eating food brought from home.

The father alleged that his son’s death resulted from improper treatment. The family further claims that doctors continued treating the child for suspected dengue despite the absence of clear evidence of the disease and administered high doses of antibiotics.

Family Alleges Delays in Transfer After Condition Deteriorated
According to relatives, Avan’s condition suddenly deteriorated severely on October 2. The attending medical team reportedly informed the family that the child’s pulse could not be detected and that he needed to be transferred urgently to the intensive care unit (ICU).

The family alleges that when they sought to transfer Avan to another specialised hospital, the hospital authorities did not provide the necessary cooperation. They also claim that the hospital delayed providing a written case summary detailing the child’s condition and treatment.

Relatives further alleged that no specialist doctor was physically present in the ICU after the child was transferred there. According to the family, the doctor responsible for his treatment provided instructions over the phone, and treatment was administered accordingly.

Despite what the family described as repeated assurances that the child’s condition was improving, Avan died at approximately 5pm on October 3.

Questions Raised Over Medical Records
The family has also raised concerns over the handling of medical records and test reports following the child’s death. They allege that the hospital initially attempted to withhold the documents. According to the relatives, medical records subsequently handed over to them mentioned a bacterial infection in the child’s blood and shock syndrome.

The grieving family has demanded a thorough investigation into the roles of the doctors involved and the hospital authorities, along with strict legal action against anyone found responsible.

The allegations have not been independently established in the information provided. Determining whether medical negligence, inappropriate treatment, or antibiotic dosage contributed to the child’s death would require a review of the medical records, diagnostic findings, and expert medical opinions. The hospital’s response to the allegations should also be sought and included when available.