Ad-din Medical College Hospital has been granted an additional 48 hours to respond to a show-cause notice issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) over the deaths of six newborns allegedly caused by negligence.

Abu Hussain Md Moinul Ahsan, director (hospitals) of DGHS, confirmed the extension today, saying it was granted following the hospital’s request as Friday and Saturday fell within the original 72-hour deadline.

“This is the last time the deadline is being extended,” he told The Daily Star.

The deadline expired at 5:00pm today. Now, the hospital has until Monday to submit its reply.

The show-cause notice asked why the hospital’s licence should not be cancelled after six newborns, aged between one and four days, died between 5:00am and 9:00am on May 27. The incident triggered public outrage and led health authorities to shut down the post-operative room and form two investigation committees.

A DGHS probe committee found clear negligence by the hospital authorities, nurses and staff, as well as the absence of an on-duty physician, to be responsible for the deaths.

Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain disclosed the findings on Thursday, the same day the show-cause notice was issued.