Tragic Death of Child During Circumcision in Chattogram

Chattogram city was shaken on Saturday by the tragic death of seven-year-old Mohammad Mostafa during a routine circumcision procedure. The boy was admitted to a local private hospital, Safe Health Care, at 10:30 a.m., accompanied by his parents. According to family members, Mostafa had even posed for a cheerful photograph on the hospital bed—now a haunting final memory for his loved ones.

The surgical procedure commenced at 3:30 p.m., but complications arose immediately after the operation. Mostafa was swiftly transferred to Chattogram Medical College (ChMC) Hospital for intensive care. His father, Abu Musa, described the harrowing ambulance journey: “My son’s body was ice-cold, his legs stiff. There was no movement at all.” Despite urgent treatment in the ICU, doctors confirmed Mostafa’s death at 10:10 p.m. The death certificate cites cardiac arrest as the cause of death.

The family has raised concerns over possible malpractice involving anaesthesia. Initially admitted to Safe Health Care, Mostafa was under the care of Dr Mohammad Junaid Chowdhury, Assistant Professor in the Paediatric Surgery Department at ChMC. ChMC Principal Professor Mohammad Jasim Uddin noted that spinal anaesthesia is typically used for circumcision, which can, in rare cases, provoke adverse reactions. He stressed that the exact cause of Mostafa’s death cannot be determined without a formal investigation.

Mostafa had a congenital urinary condition known as glandular hypospadias, which necessitated a minor surgical procedure in addition to circumcision. A general anaesthetic was recommended due to the complexity of his condition. He was the eldest child of his family, with a two-year-old younger brother. The family resides in Purba Gomdandi village of Boalkhali, and his father works for a local satellite cable provider.

The following timeline summarises Mostafa’s hospital visits:

The family is now preparing to file a formal complaint with authorities, seeking justice for their child. The incident has sparked widespread discussion on social media, highlighting urgent concerns over paediatric surgical safety and the importance of stringent medical protocols.