Health officer allegedly forces out sick child from govt ambulance

Allegations have emerged against Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Ashrafuzzaman Liton in Sreepur, Magura, for reportedly removing a seven-year-old sick child from a government ambulance and using it for personal purposes.

The incident occurred on Monday (16 February) at the Daripur Upazila Health Complex in Sreepur. The child, Afia Khatun, 7, is the daughter of Ilias Ali from Sheikhpara village in Magura Sadar Upazila.

According to sources, Afia had visited her uncle’s house in Charchougachi, Dariapur Union, on Monday morning to attend an event. At her uncle’s house, she accidentally came into contact with a pesticide stored in a corner of the room and ingested some of it while playing.

Her family immediately rushed her to the emergency department of Daripur Upazila Health Complex, where the attending doctor, considering her condition, referred her to Magura Sadar Hospital, a 250-bed facility, for further treatment.

To take the child to the hospital quickly, the family arranged a government ambulance with driver Akidul Islam. However, after waiting for about 20 minutes, the driver reportedly asked them to leave the ambulance with the child.

When the family sought an explanation, the driver allegedly said that the Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer needed the ambulance for urgent official work and instructed them to use another vehicle.

The family claimed that the emergency doctor had referred Afia to Magura Sadar Hospital and that the government ambulance is meant for patient transport. Nevertheless, they were forced to take the child to the hospital using an easy-bike. They are now demanding a proper investigation and accountability.

Responding to journalists, Dr Ashrafuzzaman Liton said the distance between the Upazila Health Complex and Magura Sadar Hospital is not very far, and an alternative transport was suggested. He added that fuel allocation for his government vehicle has been suspended for two years, and the ambulance is occasionally used for urgent administrative purposes.

The incident has sparked criticism in the local community. Sreepur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mohammad Salek Muhid said the administration is aware of the incident and will inform the relevant district authorities. Measures will be taken to ensure that ambulances are always available for public patient services in the future.

Magura Civil Surgeon Dr. Md Shamim Kabir told journalists that it was completely inappropriate to remove a sick child from an ambulance. He added that the matter would be investigated, and appropriate action would be taken.