Health Minister says no mistake in cancelling Ad-Din Hospital licence

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain said that he does not see any mistake in the decision to cancel the licence of the capital’s Ad-Din Hospital. 

He said, “First, we cancelled the licence. I think I did not make any mistake. Six children will be allowed to die due to negligence, and the authorities will remain in peace - this cannot happen.”

He made the comments as the chief guest at the inauguration of the clinical management guidelines for measles treatment at the Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College Hospital in the capital on Tuesday morning.

The Health Minister said it is important to establish accountability and discipline in the country's healthcare system. If a patient dies due to negligence in a hospital or healthcare institution, it cannot be ignored. 

He said, “We need to bring change in the country, and we need to start that change from within ourselves.”

Addressing the doctors at the event, he said that medicine discipline is a humane and noble profession. It is not possible to ensure quality healthcare without responsibility, compassion and ethics towards patients. 

He urged the doctors to listen to the patients carefully and behave humanely. Regarding the recent challenges in the health sector, the minister said that the country's doctors and nurses have shown extraordinary courage and professionalism during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

It is because of their contribution that Bangladesh has been able to maintain a relatively low mortality rate. At the same time, he called for a more active role for doctors in dealing with the dengue situation.

Highlighting the government's investment in the health sector, the minister said that 1.02 percent of the GDP, or about Tk69,000 crore, has been allocated for this sector in the current fiscal year's budget.

Referring to Ad-Din Hospital, he said that an investigation is underway into the death of six newborns and responsibility will be determined. 

Initially, it was learned that there was a lack of adequate ventilation and supervision in a closed room and there was no doctor present for a long time - these issues are being investigated.