6 newborns die at Moghbazar Ad-din hospital, probe launched as health DG warns stern action if negligence found
Cause of death remains unknown as hospital authorities describe the incident as “accidental”
Highlights
- Six newborns die at Ad-din Medical College Hospital in Moghbazar
- Babies were aged between one and two days
- Hospital authorities described the deaths as "accidental"
- Investigation underway to determine the cause
Six newborn babies died in a ward at private Ad-din Medical College Hospital in the capital's Moghbazar area early today (27 May), prompting the authorities concerned to take immediate action in this regard.
The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has formed a three-member high-powered probe committee and asked it to submit a report within 72 hours, DGHS Director General Prof Dr Pravath Chandra Biswas said after inspecting the facility and speaking to reporters.
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The committee includes a joint secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, a deputy director-level official from the hospital wing of DGHS and another DGHS official, reports Prothom Alo quoting the DG.
He said, "In particular, any faults related to the air-conditioning system or other technical issues will also be identified. Technical experts will be included in the committee if necessary. If expert opinions are required on any technological matter, they will be co-opted into the investigation."
"Early this morning, a suffocating environment was found in this room, possibly due to complications related to the air-conditioning system or some other reason. We observed that the AC system was set up in such a way that if it stopped functioning, there was no alternative ventilation arrangement. In such a situation, we lost six infants who were undergoing treatment here," he said.
According to the DGHS chief, preliminary findings from hospital authorities suggest the newborns were healthy after birth. However, their condition later deteriorated in the post-delivery ward, prompting doctors to shift them to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where they died while undergoing treatment.
Prof Pravath said the investigation would examine whether there was any negligence in duty and warned that strict action would be taken if evidence of negligence is found.
He added that the committee was formed on the instruction of the health minister and has already started work.
Police said the infants, aged between one and two days, were admitted to the hospital's post-operative ward, where mothers and newborns are usually kept following caesarean deliveries.
Shortly after the incident, police and members of the Criminal Investigation Department visited the hospital and collected samples from the spot.
The deaths occurred in the early hours of today, according to Sheikh Zahidul Islam, deputy commissioner of the Ramna Division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police.
He said CID officials and other police units were immediately deployed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. Police suspect a gas leakage in the air-conditioning system or another mechanical fault may have caused the deaths. Officers from Ramna Police Station said the matter is under investigation.
Hospital says deaths were 'accidental'
Meanwhile, hospital authorities described the incident as "accidental".
Speaking at a press briefing today, Professor Dr Nahida Yasmin, director general (Hospitals and Nursing) of the healthcare facility, said there were 11 mothers and six newborns in the ward at the time.
"This is an air-conditioned ward, and many patients and attendants often complain about excessive cold and ask nurses to switch off the AC," she said.
Dr Nahida said two of the babies suddenly fell ill during the night and were taken to the neonatal ICU. "After 3am, doctors examined them and said the babies were stable. They were later returned to the ward," she added.
However, after 6am, nurses and mothers noticed that all six babies had become critically ill.
The infants were rushed again to the neonatal ICU. Two were declared dead on arrival, while the remaining four were put on ventilator support but could not be saved, according to hospital authorities.
Dr Nahida said an internal investigation is underway to determine the actual cause behind the deaths.
In a statement, the hospital authorities said the first baby died at around 6am, and the other five died between 6am and 9am.
Three nurses were on duty during the night, it said.
"Immediately after the incident occurred, all senior responsible officials of the hospital, along with the director general of the Directorate General of Health Services, other senior officials, and members of the police administration, remained at the hospital to investigate the matter. It should also be noted that Ad-din Hospital authorities are fully cooperating with the relevant government agencies to determine why such a tragic and unfortunate incident occurred," reads the statement.
