Probe Committee to Be Formed over Allegation of Newborn Going Missing from Naogaon Clinic

An allegation has emerged that a newborn went missing from the private Bolaka Clinic in Naogaon town. The district civil surgeon's office has moved to form a committee to investigate the incident.

Civil Surgeon Dr Md Aminul Islam confirmed the matter at noon on Sunday (November 8).

The civil surgeon said no one had reported the allegation to his office. It came to the office's attention after reports appeared in various media outlets. As the matter is being discussed and a complaint has been filed with the police, the local health department has started the process of forming an investigation committee at the initiative of the civil surgeon's office. The committee may have three members, or more if needed.

The civil surgeon added that since the matter relates to a caesarean operation and ultrasound, it has been proposed to include specialists in those fields on the committee. Letters have already been sent to the Naogaon Medical College and the Naogaon Sadar Hospital authorities seeking specialists. He expressed hope that an investigation committee would be formed quickly, and that it would uncover the true facts and submit a report to the health department.

Shantona, wife of Shanto Islam of Badalgachhi upazila in Naogaon, was told in two consecutive ultrasounds during her pregnancy that she was carrying twins. On November 5, she underwent a caesarean operation at the Bolaka Clinic in the town. After the operation, however, only a baby girl was handed over to the family. With no information about the other newborn, the relatives were left stunned and anxious.

According to the family, an ultrasound was done at the Re-Life Diagnostic Centre in the town at eight months of pregnancy to check the baby's weight and other matters. The report said there was a boy and a girl in the womb. But after the caesarean, only a baby girl was brought out of the operation theatre. The family alleges the other baby was stolen or trafficked from inside the operation theatre.

On Friday, Shanto Islam, the husband of the mother, filed a written complaint with the Naogaon Sadar Police Station, naming the clinic owner, doctors and several others.

Police have arrested a ward boy of the clinic, Md Jihad, in connection with the incident.