Suffocating environment was found; probe body formed: DGHS DG

A three-member high-level committee to investigate the deaths of six infants at Ad-Din Hospital has been formed, said Professor Prabhat Chandra Biswas, Director General (DG) of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

He also said that the committee has been instructed to submit its report within 72 hours.

After visiting the hospital's post-delivery ward, the DG said, "Early this morning, due to complications related to the air-conditioning system or some other reason, a suffocating environment appeared to have developed in this room. The AC system was set up in such a way that if it stopped functioning, there was no alternative ventilation available. In such a situation, we lost six infants who were undergoing treatment there."

He shared this to journalists on Wednesday afternoon after inspecting the ward. 

The acting secretary of the Ministry of Health and Professor Md Zahid Raihan were also present.

The DG said, "We have learned that there were 11 mothers in the ward. Among them, six mothers had their newborn babies with them. The newborns were between one and three days old. The remaining five newborns were receiving treatment in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). They were undergoing treatment there due to congenital complications.

Speaking to journalists about the incident, Professor Nahida Yasmin, director of Ad-din Hospital, said there were 11 mothers and six newborns in the ward where the incident occurred.

Nahida Yasmin said, "The ward is our post-delivery ward. After delivery, mothers stay there with their babies and one accompanying person. The babies were beside their mothers."