The child from Magura was declared dead at 1 pm today, Thursday. Colonel Nazmul Hamid, a professor at the Pediatric Neurology Department of Dhaka's Combined Military Hospital (CMH), confirmed this information to Prothom Alo.
Colonel Nazmul Hamid said that the child had suffered 'cardiac arrest' (sudden cessation of heartbeat) twice this morning. After CPR was administered, his heartbeat returned. But at 12 noon, he had cardiac arrest again. Even after CPR was administered this time, his heartbeat did not return. He was declared dead at 1 pm. A press release from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said, "It is with a heavy heart that we inform you that the child who was tortured in Magura breathed his last at Dhaka's Combined Military Hospital at 1 pm today. Despite the application of the latest medical systems at CMH and the utmost efforts of expert doctors, it was not possible to save him." The child had three cardiac arrests this morning. Although he was stabilized twice, his heartbeat did not return the third time.
The ISPR press release further said that the child was admitted to the CMH in Dhaka in critical condition on March 8. The Bangladesh Army is praying for the forgiveness of the departed soul of the child. The Bangladesh Army expresses its deep condolences to the bereaved family of the child. The Bangladesh Army pledges to stand by them in any need. The mother of the eight-year-old child, who was visiting her sister's house, filed a case alleging rape. The child's brother-in-law, sister's father-in-law, mother-in-law and brother-in-law have been arrested and remanded in this case.
Last Thursday, at around 11:30 am, the child was taken to the 250-bed hospital in Magura in an unconscious state by his sister-in-law. Later, the child's mother went to the hospital. That afternoon, the child was sent to Faridpur Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. From there, he was sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Thursday night. Then, on Friday night, he was put on life support. The child was transferred to CMH from the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of Dhaka Medical College Hospital in critical condition on Saturday evening. He was kept on life support in the PICU of CMH in Dhaka.
A medical board consisting of eight specialist doctors, headed by the chief surgeon of CMH, was formed to treat the child.
The Magura incident is being condemned and criticized across the country. Protests are being held against rape and oppression.