Ad-Din Hospital's License Cancelled Over Newborn Deaths

The government has cancelled the operating license of Ad-Din Medical College Hospital in Moghbazar following the deaths of six newborns due to gross negligence.

Professor Dr. Prabhat Chandra Biswas, Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), announced the decision on Thursday afternoon after finding the hospital’s response to a show-cause notice unsatisfactory.

The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of May 27, when six babies—aged between one and three days—died in the hospital's post-operative ward. The infants had not yet been named and were identified by their mothers' names. Following the tragedy, Habibur Rahman, the father of one of the deceased newborns, filed a negligence case with the Ramna Police Station.

Probe Finds Severe Negligence and Irregularities

An investigation committee formed by the Health Ministry submitted its findings on June 4. The report revealed extreme negligence by the on-duty nurses and staff, alongside severe institutional lapses by the hospital authorities.

Primary factors contributing to the deaths included a malfunctioning air-conditioning system that left the ward without ventilation for two hours, an acute oxygen shortage, and overcrowding in an unsuitable room. The probe also noted that no doctors were present in the ward at the time of the incident.

Following the report, the DGHS issued a 72-hour show-cause notice on June 5 to the hospital's owner, Dr. Sheikh Mohiuddin, demanding an explanation as to why the facility's license should not be revoked under the Medical Practice and Private Clinics and Laboratories Ordinance. Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain stated on Wednesday that the hospital's reply contained only vague and unclear information, prompting Thursday's cancellation.

Meanwhile, on June 7, human rights lawyer Shishir Monir, mediating on behalf of the facility, announced that the Ad-Din Hospital authorities had agreed to pay 8 million Taka (Tk 80 lakh) in compensation to the bereaved families.

Despite the financial settlement, the Health Ministry maintained its strict legal stance, culminating in the permanent revocation of the hospital's license to ensure public safety and medical accountability.