United News of Bangladesh

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain on Wednesday said the government is not satisfied with Ad-Din Medical College Hospital’s explanation over the deaths of six newborns allegedly linked to negligence, describing the response to a show-cause notice as inadequate and lacking key information. Speaking to reporters at his office in the Secretariat, the minister said the hospital’s written explanation contained excessive and largely irrelevant information instead of addressing the key issues. “Many unnecessary things were included in the response, while the required information was not adequately provided. So, the health ministry is not satisfied with the explanation,” he said. Sakhawat Husain said the ministry will discuss the matter further and take necessary action at its next meeting. He also said the government remains firm in its previous stance regarding the hospital. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) formed an investigation committee after six newborns died in the post-operative ward of Ad-Din Medical College Hospital at Moghbazar on May 27, shortly after being kept under observation. Minister Sakhawat Husain disclosed the findings of the probe report on June 4, saying the committee found evidence of negligence by the hospital authorities in connection with the deaths of the newborns. On the same day, the DGHS issued a show-cause notice to the hospital asking it to explain why its licence should not be revoked over the deaths of the newborns. On June 6, the hospital authorities proposed providing lifetime free medical treatment, employment opportunities, and free medical education for the families of the victims. Advocate Mohammad Shishir Manir, a member of the hospital's legal team, announced the compensation package during a press conference, outlining the various measures taken by the hospital authorities in the wake of such an incident.