Twins born on a boat mid-river on the Brahmaputra in Fulchhari, Gaibandha; mother and babies well
A woman has given birth to twins on a boat on the Brahmaputra river in Fulchhari upazila of Gaibandha. The incident took place at around 10:30am on Tuesday (3 November).
According to local sources, a boat carrying the pregnant woman left Jigabari ghat in Erendabari union of Fulchhari upazila at around 8am on Tuesday. When the boat reached mid-river at around 10am, the woman went into labour, worrying the passengers on board.
She then gave birth to twins on the boat itself — first a boy and then a girl. Her husband is Monowar Hossain, son of Tayeb Ali of Jigabari village.
Monowar Hossain told reporters that his wife suddenly went into labour while travelling by boat on the Brahmaputra. Being in the middle of the river caused some anxiety, but with the help of experienced women on the boat, his wife delivered the twins there. He said both babies and their mother are well.
Fazle Rabbi, a resident of the Erendabari area who was on the boat, said everyone became worried when the woman suddenly went into labour. There was no opportunity to take her quickly to hospital mid-river, and the twins were born on the boat.
Erendabari union parishad chairman Abdul Mannan Akand said he had learned of the twins being born on a boat mid-river. He said emergency maternity care is often difficult for people in the char areas, and ensuring prompt medical care for mothers and newborns in such situations is essential.
Gaibandha district family planning officer Tarikul Islam said there is a specialised boat called 'Momotar Tori' run by the non-government development organisation SKS for pregnant and maternity care, with all arrangements for safe delivery protecting maternal health.
He added that his office has no special boat for maternity patients in the char areas and there is also a shortage of union health workers. Recruiting the necessary number of specialised boats and health workers is urgently needed to address these shortages, otherwise complicated situations can arise during childbirth.
