Probe body formed over deaths of six newborns at Ad-din hospital

The government has formed a three-member investigation committee following the deaths of six newborns at Ad-din Medical College Hospital in the capital’s Moghbazar area.

The committee has been instructed to submit its report within three days.

The information was disclosed on Wednesday (28 May) by Prof Dr Prabhat Chandra Biswas after visiting the hospital.

Prof Dr Prabhat Chandra Biswas said an unexpected and abnormal incident occurred early in the morning in the hospital’s post-delivery ward, where six newborn babies receiving treatment died.

He said senior officials from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, including the secretary in charge, senior health directorate officials, hospital authorities, and other concerned officials visited the ward and conducted an on-site inspection.

According to findings from the visit, there were 11 mothers in the post-delivery ward. Six of them were staying with their newborn babies, aged between one and three days, while the remaining five infants were undergoing treatment in the NICU.

He further stated that investigators found what appeared to be a suffocating environment inside the room. Initial observations suggest there may have been an air-conditioning malfunction or another issue affecting ventilation. He noted that the room lacked an alternative ventilation system when the air conditioner was switched off, potentially creating an unsafe environment.

Authorities are now investigating the exact cause behind the tragic incident.