No child deaths due to carbon dioxide: Ad-Din authorities

Ad-Din Foundation Executive Director Dr. Sheikh Md. Mohiuddin has claimed that no child has died due to the increase in carbon dioxide levels in the hospital. At the same time, he completely denied the allegations of the government running around with 'bribes' to keep the hospital running.

Dr. Sheikh Md. Mohiuddin said these things in an emergency briefing held on Monday afternoon (June 15). He called this press conference to clarify his position on the current situation of the hospital, legal battles and allegations of child deaths after the recent strict action by the Health Ministry.

Dr. Sheikh Md. Mohiuddin said that an expert team has already been formed based on the report given by the government. According to the experts' opinion, the carbon dioxide levels in each room of the hospital are being tested and work is underway to quickly bring it to a tolerable level. In addition, the work of shifting the bakery from the building is also in process.

He said, the rumor that children died due to increased carbon dioxide levels is not true. No child died due to this.

Regarding the rumors that huge sums of money were exchanged or bribes were attempted to maintain the hospital's license, Ad-Din authorities said, "We did not go around with money behind the minister. If there are any allegations about bribery, it would be better if the minister himself spoke up."

Stating that an appeal will be filed with the ministry on Tuesday against the decision to cancel the license and close the hospital, he said, "The hospital authorities are not yet aware of any new writ petition in the High Court. However, we will appeal on Tuesday."

Regarding the structural suitability of the hospital building, Dr. Mohiuddin said, "If the government's opinion that the building is unsuitable for a hospital is proven legally and technically, we will demolish this building."

Regarding the hospital's future plans after the license cancellation, he said, "They are not sitting idly by." Special training is being given to the doctors and nurses currently working at the hospital to improve the quality of services.

Earlier, the government issued an order to cancel the hospital's license on Thursday afternoon (June 11). This decision was taken after the report of the Health Ministry's investigation committee into the death of six newborns at the hospital.

The order of the Directorate General of Health said that based on the report of the investigation committee formed into the death of six newborns at Ad-Din Hospital, a show cause notice was issued to the hospital authorities. The response submitted by the hospital authorities to that notice on June 9 did not appear satisfactory to the government. In view of this, the hospital's license was cancelled in the public interest.

Earlier, in a press conference at the Secretariat around noon, the Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Health Dr. SM Ziauddin Haider called the death of children at Ad-Din Hospital an 'unforgivable crime'. He said that if the investigation proves responsibility and negligence, the highest action will be taken against the institution and if necessary, the registration will be canceled. Within a few hours of his statement, the government issued a final order to cancel the hospital's license.

Just before Eid al-Adha, six children died while undergoing treatment at Ad-Din Hospital on May 27. After allegations of negligence and carelessness were raised against the hospital in that incident, the Health Department formed an investigation committee. In response to the investigation committee's report, the Health Minister expressed dissatisfaction with the hospital authorities' explanation.