A probe committee formed by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) examined six specific issues to determine the possible causes of the deaths of six newborn babies at Dhaka’s Ad-din Medical College Hospital last week.
According to officials familiar with the probe findings, the committee first examined whether the post-operative ward, where the babies fell critically ill and later died, was suitable for post-surgical patients and newborns.
The committee found that the room was enclosed on all sides and had no access to natural light or ventilation. It could only be reached by passing through two other rooms. The environment inside was stuffy, while the air-conditioning unit was old and inadequate for the size of the ward.
The post-operative ward measured around 900 square feet and was equipped with a single five-ton air conditioner.
The committee noted that the lack of adequate light and ventilation, combined with the air conditioner being switched off between 2:00am and 6:00am, may have disrupted the newborns' normal respiratory functions, creating a risk of death.
The second issue concerned whether babies delivered through caesarean section had been transferred for special treatment or incubator care after birth, and whether doctors had issued any special instructions regarding their condition.
After reviewing relevant information, the committee found that all six deceased newborns had been delivered through caesarean section and were physically healthy under doctors' observation after birth. None required transfer to an incubator, and no doctor had issued special instructions regarding any physical abnormality.
The committee also examined whether any physician or specialist was on duty in the ward at the time of the incident.
On the third issue, the committee confirmed that no physician had been assigned to the post-operative ward, where around 50 patients were admitted. It also found that no doctor was called or came to examine the babies from the time they fell ill until their condition became critical around 6:00am.
The fourth issue focused on the physical condition of the newborns at the time of admission.
The committee found that all of them were initially healthy while under doctors' observation at the hospital. Hospital records contained no special instructions relating to any physical abnormality.
The fifth issue concerned the role of on-duty doctors, nurses and other staff members after the newborns developed abnormal symptoms.
In this regard, the committee found evidence of the absence of doctors in the ward, negligence by nurses in performing their duties, and irresponsible conduct by the hospital administration.
It found that when the previously healthy newborns experienced a sudden deterioration in their condition, no responsible action was taken by the hospital authorities, assigned physicians or nurses.
The final issue related to the hospital's environment and registration status.
The committee found that Ad-din Hospital's infrastructure was not suitable for providing healthcare services as a 700-bed hospital. It also noted the presence of a bakery within the hospital premises, which it considered inappropriate.
The committee further concluded that the post-operative ward in question was not suitable in any way for providing post-operative care.
Six newborns died between 5:00am and 9:00am on May 27 after falling critically ill in the post-operative ward. The DGHS formed a three-member committee on June 1, led by Prof Halimur Rashid, director (disease control) of the DGHS.
The committee submitted its report today. Later in the day, Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain shared a summary of the findings at a press conference at the Secretariat.
