Six newborn deaths linked to negligence at Ad-Din Hospital: Health Minister

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain has said that a government investigation has found evidence of negligence and mismanagement at Ad-Din Hospital in Dhaka’s Moghbazar area in connection with the deaths of six newborns.

Speaking at a press briefing at the Secretariat on Thursday (June 4), the minister said the findings clearly indicate institutional responsibility, and those found culpable will face action under existing laws.

According to the minister, the six newborns died between 6:00am and 9:00am on May 27 in the hospital’s post-operative ward. Following the incident, the Ministry of Health formed an inquiry committee and directed it to submit a report within three days.

The report was submitted to the ministry at 3:00pm on Thursday (June 4).

Quoting the report, the minister said the building housing the hospital is not fully suitable for medical operations. The inspection team found that the post-operative ward lacked proper ventilation and that air-conditioning had remained off for a prolonged period, leading to reduced oxygen levels and elevated carbon dioxide concentration in the room.

He said such environmental conditions posed serious risks to newborns and highlighted significant structural and management failures in the ward.

Investigators interviewed nurses on duty, cleaning staff, and the guardians of the deceased newborns. Their statements, along with collected evidence, confirmed serious lapses in duty and negligence by responsible staff, the minister added.

Sakhawat Husain said the report clearly establishes institutional responsibility on the part of Ad-Din Hospital, and legal action will be taken against those found responsible.

The deaths of six newborns on May 27 had triggered widespread concern nationwide, prompting the formation of the inquiry committee to determine the cause of the incident.