Chattogram generator blast: Rifat battles for life with 40 percent burns
A cook by profession, Rifat’s father finds it very difficult to bear the expenses of his son’s treatment
Twelve-year-old Rifat Hossain, one of the six burn victims of the generator blast at Jashne Julus programme in Chattogram on Sunday, is fighting for his life at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital with 40 percent burn injuries.
He was shifted to Dhaka from the Chittagong Medical College Hospital on Monday night after his condition deteriorated.
Meanwhile, Rifat's father Salahuddin - a cook by profession - is finding it very difficult to bear the expenses of his son's treatment.
The organiser of the Jashne Julus, the Anjumane Rahmania Ahmadia Sunniya Trust has so far contributed only Tk5,000 for Rifat's treatment, Salahuddin told The Business Standard.
Jashne Julus is a traditional programme organised on the occasion of the holy Eid-e-Miladnabi.
Apart from the contribution of Tk5,000, a human rights organisation has given Tk5,000 and a person Tk1,500, Salahuddin said, adding, "I have so far received a total of Tk11,500 for my son's treatment."
Salahuddin said that the members of the Ahmadia Sunniya Trust asked him to inform them in case he needs any financial support and also assured him of raising funds for Rifat's treatment in Dhaka.
"But the members of the trust are yet to contact me. I have so far spent Tk30,000 for Rifat's treatment by taking out a loan," alleged Salahuddin.
He added that the doctors at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital said Rifat's condition is not good and more money will be needed for the treatment.
"I do not know which source I will get the money from," Salahuddin told The Business Standard.
However, Pear Mohammed, chairman of the Gawshia Committee Bangladesh – an associate body of the Ahmadia Sunniya Trust, said that they were in touch with the victims' families after the incident.
He claimed that they have provided the families of the three burn victims, who were admitted to the hospital, with Tk10,000 each.
"We have talked to the Rifat's family before he was shifted to Dhaka. I also asked them to inform us in case they need any help," Pear said.
At least six people were burned severely as a generator exploded on a pickup van at Jashne Julus programme in Chattogram city's Lalkhan Bazar area on Sunday.
The injured are Rifat Hossain, 10, Nur Nabi, 6, Kawsar, 20, Rafiqul Islam, 13, Yamin, 9, Hridoy, 16. They all hailed from Bakolia area.
Nafiz Alam, assistant registrar of Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit at the Chittagong Medical College Hospital said, "Rifat sustained 40 percent burn, Rafiqul Islam 15 percent and Hridoy's body is burnt up to 11 percent. Three others left the hospital after taking first aid."
"Among the injured, Rifat's condition is critical," Nafiz added.