Ad-din authorities followed me around with crores of taka before licence cancellation: Health minister
“The prime minister told me, 'Whatever decision you take, you will have my full support’. I cancelled the licence," the minister says.
Health Minister Sardar Sakhawat Husain Bakul today (13 June) alleged that Ad-din Medical College Hospital authorities tried to influence him with "crores of taka" before its Moghbazar branch's licence was revoked following the deaths of six newborns.
"Ad-din Hospital followed me around with crores of taka. I was not tempted by money," the minister said at a financial assistance distribution programme for poor and underprivileged people at the Monohardi upazila parishad auditorium in Narsingdi, reports Prothom Alo.
"The prime minister told me, 'Whatever decision you take, you will have my full support'. I cancelled the licence," he added.
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On 11 June, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) revoked the licence, following an investigation into the deaths of six newborns at its neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) on 27 May.
Responding to criticism from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami over the decision, the minister said some political leaders were defending the institution despite the deaths of six newborns.
"Jamaat leaders are saying an injustice has been done. Six babies died there, yet some people continue to speak in its favour," he said.
More than 200 financially vulnerable people from Monohardi municipality and several unions received financial assistance at the programme.
Sakhawat is the elected lawmaker from the Narsingdi-4 (Monohardi-Belabo) constituency.
