Ad-Din resumes services as patients return after reopening

The corridors of Ad-Din Hospital in Moghbazar are gradually coming back to life as patients return following the restoration of its licence, bringing renewed hope to those seeking affordable healthcare and to the thousands whose livelihoods depend on the institution.

Among the returning patients was Asiya Begum, who travelled from Munshiganj with her pregnant daughter. The daughter had delivered her first child at the same hospital.

Speaking to this correspondent, Asiya said they had chosen Ad-Din once again because of its reliable medical care and reasonable treatment costs.

*    1,500 patients have received treatment in two days since services resumed

*    Foreign intern doctor Elias Mansur said the suspension had jeopardised the completion of their     internships and academic degrees

A relative of another patient said the hospital had long been a dependable destination for mid-income families, adding that its reopening had come as a welcome relief.

About six weeks ago, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) revoked the licence of Ad-Din Hospital in Moghbazar following the deaths of six newborns. After an investigation and a series of legal proceedings, the Ministry of Health on Monday reversed the decision, allowing the hospital to resume operations under three conditions.

The reopening has eased anxiety not only among patients but also among doctors, nurses, hospital employees and medical students undergoing clinical training at the facility.

Jahed Hossain, Assistant Manager of the Human Resources Department at Ad-Din Foundation, said the closure had cast a cloud of uncertainty over the jobs of nearly 2,000 employees. With the restoration of the licence, he said, that uncertainty has finally lifted.

A visit to the hospital on Wednesday found number of patients steadily rising, though hospital staff said the flow has yet to return to its usual level as many people remain unaware that services have resumed.

“Normally, we would have had many more patients by this time. Many people still do not know that the hospital has reopened,” a staff member said.

Several employees, speaking on condition of anonymity, said low- and middle-income patients had borne the brunt of the one-and-a-half-month suspension. Before the closure, large numbers of people from Dhaka and neighbouring districts relied on the hospital for affordable treatment. During the shutdown, many were compelled to seek care elsewhere at considerably higher costs.

Hospital authorities said outpatient, inpatient and emergency services resumed from 8am on Tuesday, a day after the Ministry of Health reinstated the hospital's licence and authorised it to reopen.

According to the authorities, more than 1,500 patients have received treatment in the two days since services resumed. While Wednesday's figures were not yet available, 607 outpatients received treatment between 8am and 4pm on Tuesday, the first day of reopening. During the same period, 56 patients were admitted, while doctors conducted eight caesarean deliveries and three normal deliveries.

Professor Dr Jamalunnessa, Executive Director of Ad-Din Foundation, said the hospital had upgraded ventilation, lighting, air circulation and oxygen supply across its wards in line with government directives. Doctors, nurses and other staff members have also undergone additional training.

She said the foundation remained committed to delivering quality healthcare at affordable prices.

The reopening has also brought relief to foreign intern doctors, particularly those from India and Nepal, whose training had been disrupted by the closure.

Foreign intern doctor Elias Mansur said the suspension had jeopardised the completion of their internships and academic degrees. With clinical services restored, he said, they can once again treat patients while fulfilling their training requirements.

A Nepali intern said the suspension had sharply curtailed opportunities for hands-on clinical learning, but those opportunities have now returned.

Hospital authorities said all services are currently operational, including outpatient and inpatient care, emergency services, the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Coronary Care Unit (CCU) and dialysis facilities. 

They added that the hospital would continue promoting normal deliveries to reduce unnecessary caesarean sections while maintaining low-cost dialysis and affordable ambulance services.

Ad-Din Foundation, a non-profit organisation, has been providing healthcare, medical education and public welfare services since 1980. 

It now operates several hospitals, medical colleges, nursing institutions and other healthcare facilities across Bangladesh.