The corridors of Bandhan Health Care in Bhola were filled with grief and anger late Monday night, as Lamia’s family and neighbours demanded answers.

Posters of her newborn baby clutched in tiny hands seemed to mock the suddenness of her death, a loss made all the more painful because it was, according to relatives, entirely preventable.

Lamia, 19, a resident of Abhawa Office Road area in Bhola municipality, had gone to the clinic on 7 January to give birth to her first child. 

She delivered a healthy baby boy by caesarean section the following day, but what should have been a moment of joy quickly turned into tragedy.

Her brother-in-law, Md. Rajib, recounted the ordeal, “The clinic charged Tk 1,200 for blood group testing and cross-matching. But they didn’t perform the cross-match. Instead of ‘O’ positive, they gave her ‘B’ positive blood. Shortly afterwards, she developed convulsions, and her condition worsened so rapidly that they had to transfer her to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barishal.”

Despite intensive care and four days on life support, Lamia could not be saved. She passed away at 5 pm on 12 January, and her death certificate reportedly cites the wrong blood transfusion as the cause of death. 

The news sparked immediate anger among her family. Late Monday, relatives gathered at the clinic, demanding justice and accountability. 

Some stormed the premises, vandalising property in frustration, while others called for exemplary punishment for the clinic’s staff and management. 

Police were deployed to restore order.

Inspector Md. Zia Uddin of Bhola Sadar Model Police Station said, “The death of a mother due to medical negligence led to unrest at the clinic. Police intervened to maintain order. The family has filed a formal complaint, and a full investigation will be conducted, with legal action taken as appropriate.”

This heartbreaking incident has highlighted a critical gap in medical safety practices.

Experts note that cross-matching blood is a routine yet vital procedure to prevent potentially fatal transfusion reactions. When this step is skipped, as Lamia’s family alleges, the consequences can be catastrophic.

For Lamia’s relatives, there is no solace. A young life, and the life of a mother, were cut short due to what they see as avoidable negligence. 

The tiny cries of her newborn son now echo the tragedy, a reminder of the fragility of life and the trust patients place in healthcare providers.