In Shariatpur, a newborn died after an ambulance carrying the child was allegedly obstructed by members of a local ambulance syndicate, preventing timely transfer to Dhaka for advanced medical treatment. The grieving family claims the syndicate’s interference caused a fatal delay that cost the child’s life.

According to the patient’s relatives and police sources, the incident occurred in the Koneshwar area of Damudya Upazila. On Thursday afternoon, Ruma Begum, wife of Noor Hossain Sardar, was admitted to the New Metro Clinic, a private hospital in the district, after going into labor. She delivered a healthy-looking baby boy via cesarean section.

However, soon after birth, the infant developed breathing complications caused by cold-related illness. The attending doctors advised immediate transfer to Dhaka for specialized treatment. Acting on the recommendation, the family sought to hire an ambulance.

Family members allege that the local ambulance syndicate demanded BDT 10,000 for the trip. Unable to afford the high price, the family managed to rent an alternative ambulance for BDT 5,000 from a non-syndicate driver. It was at this point, they claim, that the syndicate members began to obstruct their journey.

As the baby’s condition worsened, the hired ambulance was preparing to leave for Dhaka when two local drivers, identified as Sobuj Dewan and Abu Taher Dewan, allegedly intervened. The family asserts that they insisted the child could only be transported in one of their syndicate’s vehicles. When the family refused, the two men reportedly forcefully removed the keys from the hired ambulance and physically harassed the driver.

The family says the altercation and obstruction lasted approximately 40 minutes, during which the child’s condition deteriorated further. By the time the dispute ended, the newborn had died inside the ambulance.

According to witnesses, the family pleaded repeatedly for the vehicle to be released. Ranu Akhter, a relative of the deceased child, said, “We begged them to let the ambulance go, but they refused. They grabbed the driver by the collar, took the keys, and ignored our cries. Because of their syndicate, we lost our baby. We demand exemplary punishment.”

The child’s grandmother, Shefali Begum, tearfully recounted the ordeal. “If we had been able to reach Dhaka, my grandchild might have survived. They did not let him live. In the struggle, his oxygen supply was removed. We are poor people; we could not afford their demanded amount, so we hired a cheaper ambulance. They stopped us and my grandchild died. We want justice.”

The Dhaka-based ambulance driver, Mosharaf Mia, also described the confrontation. “I had come to Shariatpur with a patient and was parked near the hospital for a return trip. The baby’s family hired me for BDT 5,000. Seeing the child’s condition, I started the engine immediately. Suddenly, several men came, pulled me out by the collar, and took my keys. I pleaded with them, but they refused to let us go. I even told them to take the patient themselves if they insisted, but the family wanted me to drive. They still did not release me, and eventually, the baby died in the vehicle.”

After the death, the two accused local drivers reportedly fled the scene.

Palong Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Helal Uddin confirmed that police are aware of the incident. “We have received the family’s complaint and will take action accordingly. The perpetrators will be brought to justice. We will also investigate the broader issue of the ambulance syndicate in the area,” he said.

The incident has sparked outrage in the local community, with residents expressing anger over the alleged monopoly of ambulance services and the exploitation of patients’ families during emergencies. Many have called for stricter regulation and oversight of private ambulance operations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

For the bereaved family, the loss is immeasurable, and their demand is clear: those responsible for obstructing the ambulance and causing the delay must face strict legal consequences. As the investigation continues, the case has drawn attention to the darker side of medical transport services, where financial greed can take precedence over saving lives.

The police have assured that they will not only pursue justice for the grieving family but also address the systemic issues surrounding the alleged ambulance syndicate in Shariatpur.