Construction flaws found in Ad-din Hospital ward after newborn deaths; probe report tomorrow
Following the incident, both the Ministry of Health and the DGHS launched separate investigations
Highlights
- Directorate General of Health Services said the probe report will assess whether the flaws affected treatment conditions
- The inquiry examined the hospital's oxygen supply, ventilation, temperature control, and ward management
- Authorities suspect a gas leak or mechanical fault may have caused the deaths
- 6 infants fell critically ill in the ward before dying in the neonatal ICU
Investigators probing the deaths of six newborns at Ad-din Hospital in Moghbazar, Dhaka, have found evidence of construction flaws in the hospital's post-operative ward.
Additional Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr Zahid Raihan told journalists today (29 May) that the investigation committee formed over the incident is scheduled to submit its report tomorrow (30 May).
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He said that several structural deficiencies had been identified in the hospital's post-operative ward.
"The investigation report will determine whether those flaws had any impact on the treatment environment for the newborns. Relevant documents and technical data have already been reviewed as part of the inquiry", he added.
According to DGHS sources, the investigation placed particular emphasis on examining the hospital's oxygen supply system, ventilation, temperature control, and overall ward management in connection with the deaths.
The committee also interviewed physicians, nurses, and other officials concerned.
The deaths of six newborns receiving treatment at Ad-din Hospital over the past few days sparked widespread concern.
Following the incident, both the Ministry of Health and the DGHS launched separate investigations.
Families of the deceased infants also demanded that the actual cause of the deaths be uncovered.
Dr Zahid Raihan said, "The investigation report will not only determine accountability but will also include recommendations aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future."
Police said the infants, aged between one and two days, were in the hospital's post-operative ward when they fell critically ill in the early hours of Wednesday (27 May).
CID and police officials later visited the hospital and collected samples from the scene.
Authorities suspect a gas leak in the air-conditioning system or another mechanical fault may have caused the deaths, though the exact reason remains under investigation.
Earlier, the hospital authorities described the incident as "accidental", saying there were 11 mothers and six newborns in the ward at the time.
According to officials, the babies were rushed to the neonatal ICU after becoming critically ill, where two were declared dead on arrival and four later died on ventilator support.
