The government is considering restoring the licence of Ad-din Medical College Hospital in Moghbazar, Dhaka, after its authorities agreed to comply with conditions imposed following the deaths of six newborns.
The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) cancelled the hospital's licence on June 11 following the deaths of the six newborns. The hospital has since appealed the decision and is awaiting the government's response.
Tarikul Islam Mukul, Director (Company Affairs) of the Ad-din Foundation, said that the hospital had corrected the shortcomings identified by the DGHS and the Ministry of Health and submitted its application to the health secretary.
"We have corrected the deficiencies pointed out by the DGHS and the ministry and submitted our application. We are now waiting for their decision," he added.
Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain alleged that the deaths resulted from doctors' negligence, the central air-conditioning system being switched off and an inadequate oxygen supply. He said the infants developed hypercapnia while the central air-conditioning system remained shut, no windows were open and emergency oxygen support was unavailable.
He alleged that the babies died from carbon dioxide poisoning.
The minister said the DGHS had 'suspended' the hospital's licence for violating rules and because of severe mismanagement. However, DGHS Director General Prof. Dr. Prabhat Chandra Biswas later said that the apparent discrepancy was a matter of wording.
Senior ministry officials said the government was considering restoring the licence subject to several conditions, including removing the bakery from the hospital premises and carrying out structural repairs.
They said the hospital's governing board had already been restructured and that the government was considering allowing the hospital to resume operations in the public interest after the authorities agreed to comply with the conditions.
Although the hospital remains closed, the medical college continues to operate. However, students are facing uncertainty over their clinical training and internships. In particular, 295 students from India and the Maldives fear that internships completed at another hospital may not be recognised by their respective medical councils.
Director General of the Directorate General of Medical Education (DGME) Prof. Dr. Nazmul Hossain said the future of Ad-din Medical College would depend on the decision regarding the hospital.
"The issue concerning the students is under our consideration, so there is no reason to panic at this stage," he said.
The hospital's closure has also prompted demonstrations demanding the restoration of its services, while calling for an impartial investigation into the deaths of the six newborns and punishment for those found responsible.
The Bangladesh Private Hospital, Clinic and Diagnostic Owners' Association (BPHCDA) also said permanently cancelling the licence of a long-serving healthcare institution was not the best solution, arguing that such a decision would primarily affect middle- and lower-income patients who rely on affordable medical services.
