An unidentified 70-year-old man was admitted to hospital after allegedly being abandoned on a roadside by his son and daughter-in-law in Panichatra area of Madaripur municipality.
The elderly man spent two days in distress before local residents took the initiative to rescue him and admit him to Madaripur Sadar Hospital on Monday night. The incident has drawn widespread criticism from local people.
According to locals, the man was found lying helpless beside a road near the Legal Aid office in Panichatra. Frail due to old age, illness and physical weakness, he was unable to walk properly. Although passersby offered him food and water, none of his relatives came forward to help.
On Monday night, volunteers of the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, along with local residents and journalists, rescued him and took him to Madaripur Sadar Hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment.
Volunteer Asaduzzaman Saif said the elderly man was unable to speak clearly, making it difficult to identify him.
"We want his family members to be traced as soon as possible. If no relatives are found, the Department of Social Services and the relevant authorities should take responsibility for his treatment and rehabilitation," he said.
Speaking in a trembling voice from his hospital bed, the elderly man claimed that his son and daughter-in-law had mistreated him before abandoning him on the roadside.
However, he was unable to provide his name, address or any reliable information about his family.
Resident Medical Officer Dr Akhil Sarkar said the unidentified man had been admitted to the hospital through the efforts of volunteers and journalists.
“He is currently receiving treatment, but his identity has not yet been established. Many people are sharing his photograph on social media in an effort to locate his relatives,” the physician added.
Bd-Pratidin English/ AM
