A woman and her relatives staged a human chain in Kaliganj of Lalmonirhat on Thursday, alleging that a medical report showed her pregnancy as normal despite her claim that she suffered a miscarriage following an assault.
The protest was held in front of Kaliganj Upazila Health Complex around noon and lasted for nearly one and a half hours. Local residents also joined the programme.
The family alleged that Tanjia Begum was injured in an attack by an opposing group on July 20 and was admitted to Kaliganj Upazila Health Complex. She was reportedly three months pregnant at the time.
According to her family, she subsequently suffered a miscarriage following the assault. They alleged that the medical certificate issued by the health complex did not properly reflect the pregnancy or the alleged miscarriage and instead showed her condition as normal.
The family claimed the disputed report was affecting the legal proceedings in the case and demanded that the medical certificate be cancelled and a fresh report be prepared based on the actual treatment records.
They also demanded an investigation into the allegation and punishment for those responsible if the report was found to have been altered.
“I want justice for the loss of my child. I also want appropriate punishment for those who changed the medical report,” Tanjia said.
Dr Ali Rajib Mohammad Naser, Kaliganj Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer, said the victim’s family had submitted a written application to the district civil surgeon.
“We have been informed about the matter. The documents will be reviewed and further steps will be taken accordingly,” he said.
Lalmonirhat Civil Surgeon Dr Abdul Hakim said the woman’s medical records contain information about her pregnancy and that the matter would be investigated.
Dr Jenin Mostari, an assistant professor and gynaecology and obstetrics specialist at Rangpur Medical College who treated Tanjia, said the woman had received treatment after sustaining abdominal injuries while pregnant.
Her medical records contained information about the pregnancy, the doctor said, expressing surprise at how the report could subsequently show her condition as normal.
Officials said the investigation would determine the facts of the case and establish whether the medical report had been altered.
