A final decision on the consequences that Ad-din Hospital must face is expected today after the hospital authority’s reply to the show-cause notice served on them four days ago.
The reply was scheduled to be submitted on Sunday, but the deadline was extended following a request from the hospital authorities.
Health minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain on Monday said that the government would take strict action against the hospital and would not compromise on accountability.
Speaking to reporters at the secretariat, he said that the final decision would be taken on Tuesday.
‘The government will not even slightly hesitate to take any decision in public interest,’ he said.
The authorities are acting strictly in accordance with the legal procedures, he asserted.
‘They have sought time. Courts also grant time in many cases, don’t they?’ the minister said.
‘If we don’t allow them time, they may gain advantage in court. We have given them two days. We will consult our lawyers and arrive at a calm and acceptable solution. We are moving forward,’ he further said.
The Directorate General of Health Services on Monday extended the deadline for Ad-din Medical College Hospital to respond to a show-cause notice issued following the deaths of six newborns at the facility in the capital’s Moghbazar area.
DGHS director (hospital wing) Abu Hussain Md Moinul Ahsan said that the deadline had been extended by 48 hours after the hospital authorities requested additional time.
The DGHS had earlier issued the notice on Thursday to hospital owner SK Bashir Uddin, seeking an explanation as to why action should not be taken, including possible closure of the facility, over allegations of negligence and mismanagement linked to the deaths on May 27.
The hospital was initially given until 5:00pm on Sunday to respond. The deadline has now been extended to Tuesday the same point of time.
On May 27, six newborns died in the hospital’s post-operative unit.
A probe committee formed by the DGHS found evidence of mismanagement, negligence, and serious structural lapses at the hospital.
Meanwhile, a case was filed with the Ramna police station by a victim’s family under section 304A of the Penal Code, alleging death due to negligence.
Meanwhile, a Supreme Court lawyer MMG Sarwar in a legal notice on Monday urged the government to immediately disclose the probe reports.
He demanded that the authorities make public all findings of the inquiry committees and disclose what legal, disciplinary, regulatory, or administrative measures, if any, have been taken against the hospital, its management, and officials responsible for the incident.
The notice also sought details of all steps taken by the Health Ministry, DGHS, and other authorities following the submission of the probe reports, including measures to preserve evidence and relevant records for any future criminal proceedings.
It is also to be noted that monetary compensation cannot absolve the responsible persons from punishment if it is proved that the unnatural deaths of the six newborns occurred as a result of a chain of failures on the part of the hospital. Furthermore, it appears from various newspaper reports that development and renovation works have been carried out at the hospital since the occurrence of the deaths. Such activities may have resulted in the destruction, alteration, or removal of material evidence, thereby enabling the hospital authorities to evade their occupiers’ liability and accountability for the incident.
Sarwar further asked the authorities to explain why no action has been taken, if that is the case, against those found responsible despite the probe findings, and to disclose the legal basis for any such inaction.
He warned that, failing a satisfactory response, he would move the High Court seeking appropriate directions to ensure accountability, transparency, and enforcement of the fundamental rights of citizens.
