Ad-din hospital's show-cause reply not satisfactory: Health minister

The government has found Ad-din Medical College Hospital's response to a show-cause notice issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) over the deaths of six newborns at the hospital unsatisfactory.

Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain said the explanation given by the hospital authorities contained unclear information.

Speaking to journalists at the Secretariat this afternoon (10 June), the health minister said the hospital authorities failed to provide any clear explanation in response to the DGHS show-cause notice.

"The hospital authorities have provided only unclear information," he said.

The minister said further action would be taken after discussions with all concerned parties, considering the gravity of the incident.

"Necessary decisions will be taken based on investigation and review of the deaths of the newborns," he added.

The incident stems from the deaths of six newborns within a few hours in a post-operative ward of Ad-din Medical College Hospital in Moghbazar on 27 May.

Following the incident, the DGHS formed a three-member high-level investigation committee.

The committee found evidence of negligence by the hospital authorities, with the health minister earlier saying the primary factors included a malfunctioning air-conditioning system, oxygen shortage and overcrowding in a small ward.

According to the probe findings, the hospital's infrastructure, management and healthcare services had multiple serious shortcomings.

The affected post-operative room was also found unsuitable for hospital use due to overcrowding, poor ventilation and lack of proper air-conditioning.

The report also identified the absence of any doctor in the ward at the time of the incident as a serious lapse.

On 4 June, the DGHS issued a show-cause notice to Ad-din Hospital, asking why its licence should not be cancelled over the deaths.