A four-year-old boy has died while undergoing treatment at Faridpur Medical College Hospital after his relatives allegedly had to carry him through the hospital when they could not obtain a trolley. The family claims hospital employees demanded money for the trolley, forcing them to rush the critically ill child towards the ward while carrying an oxygen cylinder and saline.
A 32-second video of the incident, which has circulated widely on social media, has triggered criticism over patient transport and emergency care arrangements at the hospital.
The child, identified as Ruhul Amin, was the son of Mafuzur from Purdiya village in Faridpur Sadar upazila.
According to the family, Ruhul became seriously ill and was taken to Faridpur Medical College Hospital for urgent treatment. Given his critical condition, the relatives sought a trolley so that he could be moved quickly for medical attention.
They allege that hospital staff demanded money when they requested the trolley. Unable to pay the amount immediately, the family said they were not provided with one. With no alternative, a relative picked up the child and began moving towards the ward.
The situation was particularly difficult because the child required oxygen and intravenous saline. The video shows one man carrying Ruhul in his arms with an oxygen mask over his face, while another relative carries a heavy oxygen cylinder. A third person is seen holding the saline bottle as they hurry through the hospital.
The footage has prompted criticism from relatives and people present at the hospital, with some expressing anger over what they regarded as a serious failure in patient support. The circumstances depicted in the video have also raised questions about whether critically ill patients can obtain immediate transport assistance when they arrive at a busy medical facility.
The family said the child’s condition deteriorated rapidly during the process of moving him without a trolley. They believe the delay and the difficulties involved in carrying him may have worsened his condition.
Ruhul Amin died while receiving treatment at the hospital on Monday afternoon, 5 October.
However, it has not been established whether the alleged delay in obtaining a trolley contributed to his death. The child’s relatives and concerned members of the community have called for an investigation to determine what happened and whether any delay occurred in providing medical care.
Hospital authorities have rejected the allegation that the family was denied a trolley because they could not pay money.
Dr Manash Krishna Kundu, deputy director of Faridpur Medical College Hospital, is currently performing the additional duties of director following the retirement of the director. He said he spoke to the nurses and ward attendants responsible for the relevant ward after learning about the allegation.
According to Dr Kundu, the relatives’ account was not correct. He said the child’s physical condition was extremely critical and that nurses had advised against placing him on a trolley because moving him in that way could have created an even greater risk.
The two accounts differ significantly. The family alleges that money was demanded before a trolley could be provided, while hospital authorities maintain that the decision not to use a trolley was based solely on the child’s critical condition.
The incident has therefore raised questions that can only be settled through an impartial examination of the circumstances. Establishing whether a trolley was requested, whether any payment was sought, what instructions medical staff gave the family and whether the child experienced any delay in receiving treatment would help clarify the events surrounding his final hours.
