Ambulance blocked, newborn dies

An ambulance, which is meant to save lives, was shockingly blocked in Shariatpur costing a newborn its life. How can people be so cruel and inhuman in the name of petty personal interests?
Reports say that a Dhaka-bound ambulance carrying the sick child was stopped by a local gang, who demanded that only local ambulances be used to transport patients. Not only was the vehicle blocked, but the driver was beaten and his keys snatched in broad daylight. After an hour-long scuffle, the child tragically died. Can this be called anything other than cold-blooded murder?
The child's father has filed a case against five individuals, and police have already arrested the main accused. We expect the rest to be apprehended swiftly and brought to justice. Given that the father of the arrested accused is a driver for the Shariatpur Civil Surgeon, one can only hope that no undue influence or misuse of power will obstruct the trial.
Sadly, this is not an isolated incident. Ambulance "mafias" have long been operating in Dhaka, Chattogram, and other districts. They violently prevent patients from using outside ambulances and impose exorbitant charges. Sometimes hospital staffers are complicit in the racket. Hospitals are supposed to be the last refuge for patients, yet these gangs exploit people at their most vulnerable moments. Shockingly, neither hospital authorities nor law enforcement agencies seem to be taking any meaningful or lasting action.
This situation demands urgent intervention frpm the highest level. If hospitals and law enforcement continue to turn a blind eye, such tragedies will keep repeating. Ambulances are to save lives, not serve as a business monopoly at the expense of innocent patients' lives.

Ashikujaman Syed
Business Development Manager
Tianjin Pharmacn Medical Technology Co., Ltd.
Tianjin, China. syedashikujaman@yahoo.com