A seven-year-old boy, Mohammad Mostofa, tragically died while undergoing a circumcision procedure at a private hospital in Chattogram. Following the incident, the District Civil Surgeon’s office has established a five-member investigative committee to examine the circumstances surrounding his death.
The committee was officially formed on Wednesday, 7 January.
The incident occurred on Saturday, 3 January, when Mostofa was initially admitted to a private hospital in the Bohaddarhat area of Chattogram for the surgical procedure. Later that evening, at around 6:00 pm, he was transferred to the Chattogram Medical College Hospital for further treatment. Despite medical intervention, he passed away in the paediatric Intensive Care Unit at approximately 10:00 pm. The death certificate cites cardiac arrest as the immediate cause of death.
Deputy Civil Surgeon Mohammad Tauhidul Anwar has been appointed as the head of the five-member committee, which has been instructed to submit its findings within seven working days. District Civil Surgeon Jahangir Alam stated that the committee was formed in response to widespread circulation of the news on social media. He assured that any necessary actions would be taken based on the committee’s report.
Mostofa lived in Purbo Gomdandi village of Boalkhali Upazila and was the eldest child in his family, with a younger brother aged two. His father, Abu Musa, has alleged that improper administration of anaesthesia led to his son’s death. He said, “My son was under the care of Dr Mohammad Junaid Chowdhury, Assistant Professor of the Paediatric Surgery Department at Chattogram Medical College, through Safe Health Care Hospital. The incorrect use of anaesthesia caused his death.”
Chattogram Medical College Principal Mohammad Jasim Uddin stated that spinal anaesthesia is typically used during circumcision procedures and that serious side effects are rare. “Determining the exact cause of this child’s death will require a detailed review of his medical records and the procedure itself,” he explained.
Summary of Circumcision Incident
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Patient Name | Mohammad Mostofa |
| Age | 7 years |
| Residence | Purbo Gomdandi, Boalkhali Upazila |
| Family | Eldest child; one younger brother (2 years) |
| Initial Hospital | Private facility, Bohaddarhat, Chattogram |
| Transfer Hospital | Chattogram Medical College Hospital, paediatric ICU |
| Date of Surgery | 3 January |
| Time of Death | ~10:00 pm |
| Immediate Cause | Cardiac arrest (heart failure) |
| Investigation | 5-member committee; Head: Deputy Civil Surgeon Mohammad Tauhidul Anwar |
| Report Deadline | 7 working days |
Authorities have pledged a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident. The findings of the committee will determine whether any professional or procedural lapses contributed to Mostofa’s death and ensure accountability. Meanwhile, the family and local community await answers to prevent such tragedies in the future.