Newborn dies amid ambulance fare dispute
A newborn baby has reportedly died after being held up for nearly an hour due to a dispute over Tk 500 involving a private ambulance syndicate in Kishoreganj. Meanwhile, the ambulance driver fled the scene after the incident.
The tragic incident took place at Shaheed Syed Nazrul Islam Medical College Hospital (SSNIMCH) around midnight on Friday.
Relatives of the newborn broke down in tears at the hospital on Saturday morning after hearing the news of his death. They later staged a protest, creating a tense situation in and around the hospital premises.
The deceased newborn was the son of Md. Rohan of Jashodal village in Kishoreganj Sadar. The family has demanded exemplary punishment for those responsible.
According to locals and the family, Rohan’s wife, Sadia Akhter, gave birth to a baby boy through a cesarean section at a private clinic in the district town around 12:00 pm on Friday. The newborn suffered from breathing difficulties and cold-related complications from birth. Doctors referred him to Shaheed Syed Nazrul Medical College Hospital on an emergency basis.
After being admitted at around 12:30 pm, the baby’s condition deteriorated further, and he was referred to Mymensingh. Family members rushed to the hospital gate with the newborn and began searching for an ambulance.
At that time, as no government ambulance was available, they approached a private ambulance. Driver Saiful and others demanded Tk 4,500 for the trip to Mymensingh. The family initially offered Tk 3,500, citing the government-set fare of Tk 1,600. Later, they increased their offer to Tk 4,000, but the drivers refused to lower their demand below Tk 4,500.
Allegedly, the syndicate did not allow any other vehicle to transport the patient. The newborn died around 3:00 am while the family was still negotiating the fare. After the incident, the accused driver fled.
Locals alleged that an ambulance syndicate has long been active at Shaheed Syed Nazrul Islam Medical College Hospital, preventing outside vehicles from transporting patients and forcing families to use their services. Although the government fare is Tk 1,600 for Mymensingh and Tk 2,900 for Dhaka, patients are often charged double under various pretexts.
They further claimed that passengers are forced to pay two to three times the government-set fare for private ambulances, and drivers often refuse service otherwise. Locals fear more deaths if such practices are not stopped.
Rohan’s mother-in-law said, “I could not take my grandson to Mymensingh. What answer will I give to my son’s wife? They did not let my grandson live. I begged them many times to take him, but they did not listen.”
The newborn’s grandfather, Jewel Mia, said, “My grandson died while we were negotiating the ambulance fare at the hospital gate. When I asked for a government ambulance, I was told there was a fuel shortage.
The private ambulance driver demanded Tk 4,500, while we offered Tk 4,000, but none of them agreed to take my grandson.”
The newborn’s father, Md. Rohan, said, “When the baby developed breathing problems after birth, family members admitted him to Syed Nazrul Medical College Hospital. When his condition worsened, I was informed. I came from my wife’s location and found that my newborn child was no more.”
A helpless Rohan also alleged negligence by the authorities, saying, “My house is near the hospital. If this can happen to me, what must be happening to patients coming from far away?”
He urged the hospital authorities and administration to ensure that such incidents do not occur again.
Attempts to contact the accused ambulance driver Saiful via his phone number were unsuccessful.
CAB Kishoreganj President Alam Sarowar Tito said, “The newborn could not be taken to Mymensingh in time because of a dispute over just Tk 500. We demand exemplary punishment for those responsible.”
In this regard, Deputy Director of Shaheed Syed Nazrul Islam Medical College Hospital, Dr. Saiful Islam, told The New Nation, “No one informed me about this. I heard it from you. If the patient’s family had informed me, we might have been able to resolve the issue. If they face any harassment in getting an ambulance, we will take action. We will look into the matter and take necessary measures.”
Civil Surgeon of Kishoreganj, Dr. Abhijit Sharma, said, “I am not aware of the details. It would be better for the hospital director to comment. However, if we receive a complaint, action will be taken after an investigation.”
