Ad-Din Hospital’s explanation on six newborns death unsatisfactory: Health Minister

Health Minister Sardar Sakhawat Husain has said that the government is not satisfied with the explanation submitted by Ad-Din Hospital in connection with the deaths of six newborns in Moghbazar area of Dhaka.

He made the remarks while speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Wednesday (June 10), adding that a decision on further action would be taken soon after review.

“The hospital’s response to the show-cause notice issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) is not satisfactory. The information provided is vague and unclear,” the minister said.

The incident occurred on May 27 when six newborns admitted to the hospital’s post-operative ward died within a few hours of each other. Following the deaths, DGHS formed a three-member high-level investigation committee.

The committee’s report reportedly highlighted multiple issues, including poor hospital management, environmental shortcomings, and alleged negligence by on-duty doctors and nurses.

It found that the ward was not suitable for newborns and post-surgical patients, citing inadequate lighting, ventilation, and irregular air-conditioning facilities.

It also noted that no responsible doctor was present in the ward at the time of the incident and that timely medical intervention was not provided.

According to the report, the newborns were initially born healthy and did not require intensive care or incubator support. However, their sudden deterioration was not met with adequate emergency response.

The findings also pointed to structural limitations, lack of supervision, and administrative lapses within the hospital.

Authorities said further decisions regarding the hospital’s accountability will be taken shortly following internal review discussions.