Ad-Din Hospital gives initial account as probe begins into 6 newborn deaths

The authorities of Ad-Din Medical College Hospital in Magbazar, capital, have expressed deep grief and sorrow over the sudden death of six newborn babies at the hospital. They have also provided their preliminary explanation of what transpired that night.

According to the hospital authorities on Wednesday, May 27, the air conditioning system was on in the post-operative ward on the second floor of the hospital around 2:00 am on Tuesday night. However, mothers of several newborns in that ward requested that the AC be turned off. The duty nurses subsequently turned them off.

The authorities said the ACs were turned back on around 3:00 am. About an hour later, around 4:00 am, one newborn began crying abnormally and was quickly taken to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Similar situations arose, and five more newborns were quickly transferred to the NICU. The first child died around 6:00 am. Between 6:00 am and 9:00 am, the other five newborns died in phases.

The hospital authorities said mothers who had recently given birth were staying with their children in that ward, and three nurses were on duty during the night shift. Senior hospital officials arrived at the hospital immediately after the incident. The Director General of the Health Directorate, along with other senior officials and police administration members, were also at the hospital to investigate the matter.

The authorities said an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the tragic incident. Full cooperation is being extended to the concerned government departments. The hospital has also launched an internal investigation and will take necessary action if any negligence or fault is found.