Ad-Din Hospital loses licence over deaths of six newborns

Bangladesh's health authorities have revoked the licence of Ad-Din Hospital in Dhaka's Moghbazar area following an investigation into the deaths of six newborns in the facility's post-operative ward last month.

Director General of Health Services Dr Provat Chandra Biswas announced the decision at a press briefing on Thursday, citing evidence of gross negligence and serious management failures uncovered by an official probe. The licence was cancelled under provisions of the Medical Practice and Private Clinics and Laboratories (Regulation) Ordinance, 1982.

The six infants, aged between one and three days, died within hours of each other on May 27. A government investigation found that the ward where the newborns were being treated lacked adequate ventilation, had malfunctioning air-conditioning systems, and was overcrowded beyond its capacity. Elevated carbon dioxide levels caused by the excessive number of people in the ward were identified as a likely contributing factor.

The probe also found that no physician was present during the emergency and that timely critical care was not provided. Health authorities said the hospital's response to a show-cause notice failed to provide satisfactory explanations, leading to the cancellation of its operating licence.

Officials have instructed the hospital to transfer existing patients to suitable healthcare facilities. Meanwhile, the hospital has the legal right to appeal the decision within 30 days.

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The government has vowed strict legal action against those responsible. A criminal case has already been filed over allegations of negligence, while authorities continue to monitor the ongoing legal proceeding