Compensation will not influence govt decision over Ad-din hospital newborn deaths: Health minister
Sakhawat said the government had initially sought two more days to decide on action against the hospital authorities based on the investigation report. However, to expedite the process, the decision is now expected to be announced tomorrow.
The government will not hesitate to take decisions in the public interest over the deaths of six newborns at Ad-din Hospital, said Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Secretariat today (8 June), the health minister said the decision will be announced after reviewing the investigation report within a set timeframe, and it may be declared as early as Tuesday.
Sakhawat said the government had initially sought two more days to decide on action against the hospital authorities based on the investigation report. However, to expedite the process, the decision is now expected to be announced tomorrow.
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He said the government will appoint lawyers to examine the report and provide necessary legal recommendations for the decision.
He also said that if the hospital authorities, through their own lawyers, take steps to compensate the families of the deceased children, that will be their own initiative, but it will not influence the government's decision.
Earlier on 27 May, six newborn babies died in a ward at the private Ad-din Medical College Hospital, prompting the authorities to take immediate action.
Following the incident, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) formed a three-member high-powered probe committee and asked it to submit a report within 72 hours, DGHS Director General Prof Dr Pravath Chandra Biswas said after inspecting the facility and speaking to reporters.
Later, the bodies of the six newborns were handed over to their families without autopsy after obtaining police permission.
On dengue preparedness, he said the government is fully prepared for the upcoming season and has ensured an adequate stock of saline for patient treatment.
Referring to measles vaccination, he said earlier remarks about increased child deaths due to immunisation gaps during the interim government were based on reality. He added that the government is now strengthening vaccination efforts to control and eliminate measles.
About the pharmaceutical sector, he said that Bangladesh is currently exporting medicines to 140 countries. The government is working to expand exports further and will continue to support private pharmaceutical manufacturers.
