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Published : 15 May 2026, 10:54 PM
Suman Jaladas, a fisherman from Chattogram city’s Kathgarh, was in trouble despite his 5-month-old daughter recovering from measles, as the private hospital where she was treated would not release her over unpaid bills.
He managed to pay Tk 80,000 – only one-third of the bills prepared by the Asian Specialised Hospital and Diagnostic Centre in the city.
In fact, he was forced to borrow the money. But the hospital authorities would not discharge his daughter, Jaya Das, over the arrears amounting to Tk 158,000, leaving him in a fix.
The bills were estimated for 15 days of healthcare, including incentive care and cabin charge since Apr 30.
After the matter caught the attention of the press, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mian called the hospital chairman on Thursday night.
The DC also visited the child at the hospital on Friday afternoon, when he told reporters: “A father from Jale Palli [fishing community] admitted his daughter to the hospital. The child has recovered.
“Before that, she was in the ICU. But the father is unable to pay the mounting bills,” he added.
After the DC phoned the hospital’s Chairman Salauddin Ali, the latter assured him of waiving the bills.
According to the DC, Salauddin was not aware that the family belonged to a poor fishing community.
“I wanted to see the child. So I came to see her today [Friday]. She is a five-month-old baby. I saw a smile on her mother’s face. She will return home today with her daughter. Both the mother and the child are going home smiling.”
Salauddin said the DC and civil surgeon called him last [Thursday] night.
“After talking to them, we waived the bill."
Grateful for the help, Sumon said, “I never imagined that the DC would come and have the bills exempted.
“If he had not cooperated, I would have had to ask people for help, and would have had to go on a mike seeking financial aid,” he added.
Suman recounted that he informed the hospital of his financial miseries after paying Tk 80,000.
“I told them that I can’t afford much. But I begged my daughter’s release. I was even ready to go to jail [over the dues],” he told journalists.
A joyful Suman said he and his wife would meet the DC again to personally express their gratitude.
Civil Surgeon Jahangir Alam was present during the DC's visit, among others.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dire situation facing parents -- particularly those living in poverty -- as they navigate a deadly measles outbreak amid staggering inflation that has persisted for several years.
The crisis has been further exacerbated by inadequate government support, leaving vulnerable children at the mercy of expensive private healthcare.
