Concern and fear have spread following the alleged theft of a three-day-old baby girl from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Cox’s Bazar 250-bed District Sadar Hospital. A woman wearing a burqa allegedly left the hospital with the baby on the night of October 9.
Another baby was reportedly stolen from the same hospital on September 19. The two incidents within a month have raised questions about the hospital’s security arrangements.
The baby girl of Regina and Jaher had been receiving treatment at the NICU after birth. The family alleged that an unidentified woman wearing a burqa evaded hospital security and took the child away on the night of October 9. CCTV footage reportedly showed a woman leaving the hospital carrying a baby.
After the child went missing, the family lodged a complaint with the police. Hospital authorities also said they had taken the necessary steps to recover the baby.
On October 10, the day after the incident, relatives of the child expressed anger at the hospital after failing to find any trace of her. The incident created a tense situation on the hospital premises.
The consecutive incidents have caused concern among patients and their relatives seeking treatment at the hospital.
Nuru Jahan, whose child was admitted to the hospital with fever and a cold, said, “We are frightened to hear that babies are being stolen from the hospital. Security arrangements need to be strengthened.”
Local resident Arif Ullah said the incident was deeply upsetting.
“People come to hospitals to receive medical treatment. If incidents such as baby theft occur there, ordinary people will be concerned about their safety. Hospital security needs to be strengthened further,” he said.
Asked about the incident, Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital superintendent Dr Mong Ting Nyo said no hospital nurse was involved in the newborn theft.
“However, it is too early to say whether any staff member from outside the hospital is involved. An investigation committee has already been formed. If anyone responsible is identified through the investigation, legal action will be taken against them,” he said.
Hospital authorities said a shortage of security personnel might have created opportunities for such incidents.
After the two incidents in a short period, patients’ relatives and local residents have called for stronger security, increased surveillance at entrances, and verification of the identities of people assigned to newborn wards.
By Mohammad Morshed
Photo: AI-Generated
