CT Online Desk:

The health directorate has ordered the closure of United Medical College Hospital located in the Satarkul area of Dhaka following the death of five-year-old child Ayan after circumcision.

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) issued the closure order, conveyed through a notice signed by Director (Hospitals) Dr Abu Hussain Md Moinul Ahsan on Sunday.

According to the order, the DGHS visited the hospital on January 10 prompted by a complaint filed by Ayan’s father. During the inspection, the United Medical College Hospital authorities failed to show any licence issued by the directorate. 

Besides, upon reviewing its online database, the DGHS saw that no institution named United Medical College Hospital had ever applied online for registration or licence to the directorate.

The order says the institution has been providing medical services in its under-construction building without any legal registration or licence, which is against the law. On December 31, Ayan’s family took him to United Medical College Hospital for circumcision. 

The doctors performed the surgery after allegedly putting him under general anaesthesia without permission.  The child was later sent to United Hospital in Gulshan as he did not regain consciousness under the effects of anaesthesia. 

He was kept on life support in the pediatric intensive care unit there, where he would be declared dead on January 7.

Ayan's father, Shamim Ahmed, filed a case against two doctors, unnamed officials and a director of United Hospital and United Medical College Hospital in this connection with Badda police station on January 9.

DCT/OL/AH/END