Tragedy at Azmal Hospital: Mother and Unborn Child Die Allegedly Due to Medical Negligence

A civil engineer’s pregnant wife and her unborn child have died at Dr. Azmal Hospital in Mirpur-10, Dhaka, allegedly due to medical negligence. The incident occurred on Friday morning, July 25, when the patient, Irin Parvin, was admitted for a scheduled cesarean section. Her husband, Abdur Rahman, has accused the hospital staff of wrongful treatment leading to the untimely deaths.

According to Abdur Rahman, Irin was administered saline and an injection before the C-section, which triggered a severe burning sensation in her chest. Moments later, her pulse dropped to zero. Both the mother and the unborn baby died shortly thereafter. Though she was taken to the ICU in an unresponsive state, doctors declared her dead after a short while.

Speaking to DigiBanglaTech, Rahman said, “I brought my wife to the hospital this morning for her delivery. Now, I’m returning home with the bodies of my wife and unborn child. This was supposed to be a joyous moment, but it turned into a nightmare. I hold the hospital and its staff responsible. There was no surgery, yet they managed to kill my wife. I didn’t even get to see my child’s face; the baby died in the womb. I don’t want anyone else to suffer like this.”

The incident sparked chaos at the hospital, with Irin’s relatives and other patients' families protesting the alleged malpractice. Law enforcement was called to the scene. Eventually, the hospital acknowledged the error and handed over the bodies to the family, listing “medical negligence” as the cause of death in the death certificate.

Irin, originally from Pirganj in Thakurgaon, lived in a rented apartment in Mirpur-6 with her husband and their 5-year-old child. The couple had been married for eight years, and Friday was the expected date of their second child's birth. Two days prior, Irin had consulted with Dr. Hajera Khatun, who instructed her to get admitted at 6 a.m. for an 8 a.m. C-section.

Rahman recalled that his wife was in good health prior to the procedure, even spending time happily with their son Ayaan. After the injection was administered, everything changed.

Rahman’s senior colleague, Shahab Uddin Shipon, who was present at the hospital, said, “Two lives were lost due to sheer negligence, yet the hospital showed no remorse. At one point, they offered Tk 5 lakh in compensation. When the police arrived, they raised the offer to Tk 10 lakh to avoid legal action.”

Rahman rejected the offer, stating, “How could money compensate for the loss of my wife and child? What would I do with that money?”

He has taken the bodies to Pirganj, Thakurgaon, for burial and intends to take further action upon returning to Dhaka.

Attempts to reach the hospital director, Atahar Ali, were unsuccessful as he refused to comment over the phone and asked reporters to visit in person. The hospital manager, Abul Khair, said, “What happened, happened. Now a solution is needed.”

Mirpur Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Sajjad Roman confirmed the incident, stating, “There has been a reported death of a pregnant woman at Azmal Hospital. Allegations of medical negligence have been raised. The police responded to the scene. The family has gone to their village for burial. Legal action will follow if a formal complaint is lodged upon their return.”

The tragedy is yet another reminder of the growing concern over unregulated private hospitals operating in Dhaka and other parts of the country. Citizens have voiced the need for strict regulatory action, calling on the health directorate to hold rogue institutions accountable. Family members of the deceased claim this is not an isolated incident and are demanding a full departmental investigation and justice.