After seeing the news that UNB broke on Friday and was subsequently published by some of our clients in their Saturday editions with the title ‘Mother sells newborn to pay hospital bills’, the law minister immediately contacted the Gaibandha district administration and requested firmly that the newborn be returned to mother's lap.

An official release by Law Ministry also said that Anjula Begum was given 20 kg of rice, two kg of pulses, two liters of soybean oil, a saree, a lungi and Tk 2,000 in cash by the district administration.

Besides, arrangements have been made to send Tk 16,000 from the personal funds of the law minister to the district administration of Gaibandha today, to repay the money taken to pay the clinic’s bill.

On September 17, Anjula Begum,  wife of Shajahan Mia of Sholagari village in Sadar upazila, sold her baby for Tk 16,000 to foot her medical bills.

Amena Begum, went to a local hospital for delivery. Doctors there asked her to go to another hospital as she needed surgery.

On September 13, Shahjahan took his wife to Jamuna Clinic in Gaibandha where she gave birth.

Four days later, the clinic authorities asked them to pay a bill of Tk 16,000.

Unable to arrange money, the couple contacted a syndicate and sold their newborn for Tk 16,000.

Also read: Mother sells newborn to pay hospital bills

Faridul Haque Sohel, owner of Jamuna Clinic in Gaibandha, said that Anjula Begum was admitted to the clinic on September 15 at around 12:15 pm to give birth to her fourth child and gave birth to a son by Caesarean section at around 1 pm. 

After paying the bill with great effort, Anjula was released from the clinic on the evening of September 17.