Clear evidence of negligence by Ad-din Hospital authorities found: Health Minister

The investigation committee formed to probe the deaths of six newborns at Ad-din Hospital in Mogbazar, Dhaka, submitted its report on Thursday, finding clear evidence of negligence by the hospital authorities.

The report also identified gross negligence and lack of cooperation by the nurses on duty.

Presenting the key findings of the report at a briefing at the Secretariat on Thursday afternoon, Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain said those responsible for the hospital’s administration had failed to meet the basic requirements for operating a healthcare facility.

The investigation established that negligence by the hospital’s doctors, nurses and management led to the deaths of the six newborns at the Mogbazar hospital, he said.

The minister said the absence of a doctor on duty and the failure of both nursing staff and hospital authorities to fulfil their responsibilities had been clearly proven.

He added that the government would review the report and decide on the next course of action. Measures would be taken against the hospital in accordance with existing laws, with a decision expected by Sunday.

Six newborns died at Ad-din Hospital between 6:00 am and 9:00 am on 27 May.

“We have taken the incident very seriously,” the minister said. “We visited the site and formed an investigation committee, giving it three days to complete its work. We received the report at 3:00 pm today.”

According to the minister, the committee found the hospital building unsuitable for healthcare operations. During an inspection of Post-Operative Room No. 2, investigators concluded that prolonged disruption of air-conditioning and inadequate ventilation had resulted in insufficient oxygen levels in the room, while carbon dioxide levels exceeded normal limits.

The committee interviewed all nurses and support staff assigned to the room, as well as the parents of the deceased newborns.

The findings showed serious negligence and lack of cooperation by the nurses on duty. When the babies’ conditions deteriorated suddenly, the hospital failed to provide an emergency medical response. The nurse concerned did not respond to repeated calls from parents or alert any doctor to the situation. Instead, critical time was lost, and no effective measures were taken to prevent the deaths of the newborns.

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