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Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain Bakul on Sunday clarified that the licence of Ad-din Medical College Hospital has been suspended, not permanently cancelled, following the deaths of six newborns at the hospital last month.
Speaking during the budget session in Parliament, the minister said the suspension remains under review and rejected suggestions that the government intended to shut down one of the country’s major providers of affordable healthcare.
“We have not ordered the closure of the hospital. Its licence has been suspended while the matter is being reviewed,” he told lawmakers, urging them not to politicise the issue.
The minister made the clarification after lawmakers questioned the government’s handling of the incident and referred to an earlier announcement by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) stating that the hospital’s licence had been cancelled.
Referring to the deaths of six newborns within three hours on May 27, Bakul alleged that the tragedy resulted from serious negligence and inadequate oxygen supply.
According to him, the babies died from hypercapnia after the air-conditioning system was switched off in a sealed room that lacked windows and proper ventilation, causing oxygen levels to fall dangerously.
The minister said he personally visited the hospital the following day and discussed the incident with two physicians, who agreed that oxygen deprivation and negligence were the likely causes of the deaths.
He also criticised the hospital’s management, alleging that the owner did not visit the affected ward after the incident. He said the hospital’s board of directors was later restructured, and the owner’s wife was appointed chief executive.
Despite the incident, Bakul said the government recognises Ad-din’s role in providing affordable medical treatment, including low-cost dialysis services, and therefore has no intention of closing the institution. However, he stressed that those responsible for the deaths must be held accountable.
On June 11, the DGHS announced the cancellation of the hospital’s licence after finding its response to a show-cause notice unsatisfactory.
A ministry-formed investigation committee concluded that oxygen shortages and negligence by the hospital authorities were the primary causes of the newborn deaths. Based on the findings, the hospital was asked to explain why its licence should not be revoked.
Although the hospital sought additional time and submitted its explanation on June 9, the DGHS said the response failed to satisfactorily address the allegations.
Under the Private Clinics and Laboratories (Regulation) Ordinance, 1982, the hospital is entitled to appeal or seek a review of the decision within 30 days.
