NHRC letter seeks investigation into child’s death after circumcision

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Tuesday sent a letter to the health ministry asking to investigate the death of a five-year-old child, Ayan, who died during his circumcision procedure at United Medical College Hospital.

The secretary for health service division has been asked to submit a report in this regard by January 12.

Ayan was taken to United Medical College Hospital on Badda Madani Avenue by his father, Shamim Ahmed, for circumcision on a Tk10,000 package on December 31.

Ayan was given full anaesthesia there, reportedly without parental consent.

When, several hours after the operation, he still was not conscious, the hospital moved him to its Gulshan branch.

Following seven days of keeping Ayan on life support, medical professionals in the paediatric intensive care unit declared him dead late on Sunday.

The anaesthesia was administered to Ayan by Dr Sabbir Ahmed while Dr Mehzabin conducted the circumcision surgery.

Earlier, a writ petition was filed with the High Court requesting directives for an investigation into the death, Tk1 crore in compensation for his family, and action against the doctors who performed the surgery as well as the hospital.

The Directorate General of Health Services has also formed a four-member committee to probe the incident.