Six Infant Deaths Trigger Legal Review Call by Health Minister

Bangla Press Desk:   Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain has met with the attorney general to examine the legal aspects regarding the deaths of six newborns at Ad-din Medical College Hospital in Dhaka’s Moghbazar.

Speaking to the media after a meeting at the Secretariat on Monday, the minister said that the country's chief legal officer had been invited to ensure that all legal aspects of the situation are properly reviewed and that the entire process is carried out in accordance with the law.

He added that a deputy attorney general was also present at the meeting.

The minister further said that the probe committee has been instructed to submit a detailed report by Wednesday, according to bdnews24.com.

Claiming that the investigation report needs to be more practical, the health minister said, "The ministry had already formed a probe committee. However, for the report to be more dynamic and practical, it is necessary to speak directly with the mothers of the newborn victims.

“At the same time, due to the Eid holidays, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) was unable to form the legal investigation committee that was required. This committee will be formed very soon by the director general's office, and the final report will be submitted by Jun 3."

On May 27, six newborns died in the hospital's post-operative ward. Following the incident, the probe committee was instructed to submit its report within 72 hours.

Accordingly, the committee submitted a preliminary report and requested additional time until Jun 3 to submit a comprehensive report. In response, the Ministry of Health extended the deadline for the submission of the full investigation report.

The health minister also expressed deep regret over the aggressive behaviour and alleged assault by hospital officials and staff against journalists who had gone to the hospital to gather information.

Regarding journalists' access to hospitals, he said: "Journalists have the right to go anywhere. However, both sides should reach an understanding to ensure that patients receiving treatment are not disturbed.”

“Under no circumstances is it acceptable to obstruct or attack journalists."

In response to the questions about an alleged illegal bakery operating inside the hospital premises, the minister said:

"We inspected the bakery in person yesterday, and today we have also summoned officials from the Department of Environment. We are thoroughly investigating how and why permission was granted for it to operate there."

When asked whether there had been a lack of monitoring by the DGHS over private hospitals in the past, the minister declined to comment on previous administrations or past situations.

However, he noted that extensive inspections and monitoring of clinics and private hospitals across the country are already under way.

The minister assured that once the probe report is received, exemplary action will be taken against those found responsible in accordance with the law.