Ad-Din Medical College Hospital on Monday denied allegations that its authorities attempted to influence the Health Minister with money after the government cancelled the hospital’s licence following the deaths of six newborn babies.
Speaking at a press briefing at the hospital in Moghbazar, Executive Director Dr Sheikh Mohiuddin said, “We did not go to anyone with money, even to the minister. If the minister has made such a statement, he should provide evidence.”
His remarks came in response to comments made by Health Minister Sardar Sakhawat Hossain.
Dr Mohiuddin said the hospital viewed the licence cancellation as an opportunity to identify and correct its shortcomings. The authorities had already begun implementing recommendations from the government investigation report and would submit an appeal to the ministry on June 16.
“We welcome the decision as an opportunity to correct our mistakes. After completing the necessary improvements, we hope to regain our licence,” he said.
The hospital has stopped admitting new patients, although around 60 patients remain under treatment, including five in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and 36 newborns in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Dr Mohiuddin said critically ill newborns were not transferred immediately because moving them could pose medical risks. Transfers were being carried out gradually while prioritising patient safety, although many patients were unwilling to leave the hospital.
He also clarified that Ad-Din had not filed any writ petition challenging the government's decision. “Someone may have filed a petition on their own initiative or in public interest, but the hospital authority has not filed any writ,” he said.
The government cancelled the hospital’s licence on June 11 after an investigation into the deaths of six newborns on May 27.
The report cited poor ventilation, negligence and weaknesses in emergency response systems.
While accepting the findings, Dr Mohiuddin said the exact cause of the deaths had yet to be conclusively determined. He called for a comprehensive investigation, describing the incident as a matter of national importance.
He said an expert committee comprising engineers from BUET and other specialists had been formed to oversee reforms. The hospital is redesigning its ventilation system, installing equipment to monitor air quality and introducing positive air pressure systems in wards. A bakery located on an upper floor has also been temporarily closed and will be relocated following government concerns.
Dr Mohiuddin added that authorities had not instructed the hospital to discharge patients within 72 hours, but had asked it to address the identified problems as quickly as possible.
Our Staff Correspondent adds:A writ petition was filed with the High Court seeking a stay on the government's decision to cancel the licence of Ad-din Medical College Hospital situated in the Mogbazar area in the capital city.
Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Md Eunus Ali Akond submitted the petition as a public interest litigation, also challenging the legality of the Medical Practice and Private Clinics and Laboratories (Regulation) Ordinance, 1982, under which the government revoked the hospital's licence.
The High Court is likely to hold hearing on the petition on Sunday, the lawyer said.
Citing the petition, Eunus Ali Akond told reporters that the ordinance is illegal because it was promulgated during martial law, the legal basis of which was later struck down by the Supreme Court.
He further argued that the ordinance contains no provision allowing the cancellation of a hospital's licence.
The government's decision to revoke the licence of Ad-din Medical College Hospital is against the public interest, as a large number of people receive treatment there, he said.
Earlier on June 11, the government revoked the hospital’s license, according to an official order.
The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) stated in its directive that the hospital would have the option to appeal the cancellation order within 30 days.
The move comes after the deaths of six newborn babies in the hospital’s post-operative ward in the early hours of May 27. The infants were between one and three days old.
A case was later filed at Ramna Police Station by Habibur Rahman, the father of one of the deceased infants, alleging negligence leading to death.
In response, the Ministry of Health formed a three-member investigation committee to probe the incident.
