A 21-year-old pregnant woman has died in Feni, Bangladesh, following allegations of medical negligence and serious procedural irregularities at a private maternity facility, prompting authorities to seal the clinic and launch an official investigation.
The deceased, Naima Akter Liza, was the wife of expatriate Mujibul Haque and a resident of Fazilpur Union in Feni Sadar Upazila. According to family accounts, she went into labour on Friday and was initially taken to a local healthcare centre in Laskerhat. From there, on the advice of a nurse, she was transferred to a private establishment in Feni town known as the “One Stop Maternity Clinic” located on Shaheed Shahidullah Kaiser Road.
Relatives allege that shortly after admission, the clinic authorities pressed for an immediate caesarean section, which was carried out for a fee of 22,000 Bangladeshi taka. However, soon after the operation, the patient began to suffer heavy internal bleeding. Family members claim that despite repeated requests for urgent attention, the condition was downplayed by the attending staff, who reportedly described the bleeding as normal post-operative complications.
As her condition deteriorated further on Saturday afternoon, she was transferred to another private hospital and later referred to Chattogram Medical College Hospital. She died en route to Chattogram on Saturday evening, before reaching the tertiary care facility.
The incident sparked widespread outrage after details circulated on social media. A joint team from the district health department and the district administration, led by the Civil Surgeon, conducted a late-afternoon raid at around 6:42 p.m. on Saturday. Upon arrival, officials found that the clinic’s doctors, owner, and staff had already fled the premises.
Authorities confirmed that preliminary evidence suggested violations of the Private Medical Establishments Regulation Act of 1982, leading to the immediate sealing of the facility. Officials stated that further legal action would depend on the outcome of a full investigation.
The timeline of events, as reconstructed from family statements and official reports, is outlined below:
| Time & Day | Event Description |
|---|---|
| Friday morning | Labour pain begins; patient taken to Laskerhat facility |
| Friday noon | Transferred to private clinic in Feni town |
| Friday night | Caesarean section performed for 22,000 taka |
| Post-operation | Excessive bleeding begins; alleged neglect reported |
| Saturday noon | Condition worsens; referral to another hospital |
| Saturday evening | Patient dies en route to Chattogram |
| Saturday night | Joint administration raid; clinic sealed |
The Civil Surgeon confirmed that the clinic had previously faced allegations of irregularities and had been temporarily shut down on an earlier occasion. He added that repeated violations, if proven, would result in strict punitive measures.
Meanwhile, the Officer-in-Charge of Feni Model Police Station stated that legal action would be initiated once a formal complaint is lodged.
Family members of the deceased have alleged that internal injuries sustained during surgery led to uncontrolled haemorrhaging, which they believe was not properly addressed or disclosed. They have demanded an independent and transparent investigation, along with exemplary punishment for those responsible.
The tragedy has cast a pall of grief over the local community, while also reigniting concerns over the regulation and monitoring of private healthcare facilities in the region. Local residents have called for stronger oversight mechanisms to prevent similar incidents in the future.
