A newborn died in Shariatpur after local ambulance drivers allegedly blocked a Dhaka-bound ambulance carrying the child for emergency treatment, leaving the family without access to timely care.
Ruma Begum of Koneshwar Chatiani village in Damudya upazila gave birth to a son last Thursday at a private clinic in Shariatpur town. Within hours, the baby developed severe breathing complications, and doctors advised the family to transfer him to Dhaka. On the way, at Chowrangi intersection, local drivers, led by Sabuj Dewan, stopped the ambulance and demanded the family use a local service instead. A scuffle ensued, during which the newborn’s oxygen mask came off. After nearly an hour of pleading, the ambulance was released, but the infant, named Manik, had already passed away.
The child’s father, Nur Hossain, filed a case at Palang Model Police Station on Friday night, naming five accused, including Sabuj Dewan and other local drivers. Police confirmed that Dewan has been arrested, while efforts are underway to apprehend the others.
At Shariatpur Sadar Hospital, Ruma Begum remains in deep shock, grieving her child’s death. “What did my innocent child do that he had to leave this world within five hours of his birth?” she cried from her hospital bed. Her relatives said she has not stopped mourning since learning the news.
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