The Executive Director of Ad-din Foundation, Dr Sheikh Mahmud Uddin, has stated that the organisation has not engaged in any financial dealings with the minister. He said that if the minister has made such claims, they must be substantiated with evidence. He also confirmed that an appeal will be filed on Tuesday against the decision to close the hospital.
He made these remarks on Monday (15 June) while speaking to journalists at Ad-din Medical College Hospital in Moghbazar, Dhaka. The briefing focused on the death of six newborn babies and the current condition of the hospital.
Dr Sheikh Mahmud Uddin said that the report concerning the cancellation of the hospital’s licence referred to issues related to the ventilation system. He stated that the hospital’s entire ventilation system is currently being renovated. He also noted that a bakery previously operating within the hospital premises has been shut down. According to him, several critically ill patients are currently receiving treatment at the facility.
Earlier, on Saturday (13 June), Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Sakhawat Hossain, speaking at the Monohardi Upazila Parishad auditorium in Narsingdi, stated that Ad-din Hospital had been “moving around with crores of taka” and that its licence had been cancelled. He also commented that leaders of Jamaat were speaking in support of Ad-din.
On 27 May, six newborn babies died between 6:00 am and 9:00 am in the post-operative ward on the second floor of Ad-din Hospital. Following the incident, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare formed an investigation committee on the same day.
The ministry received the investigation report on 4 June. After reviewing it, Health Minister Sardar Mohammad Sakhawat Hossain stated that the inquiry had found evidence of severe negligence by the hospital authorities.
Key Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 27 May | Six newborn deaths in post-operative ward |
| 27 May | Health Ministry forms investigation committee |
| 4 June | Investigation report received; findings of severe negligence reported |
| 13 June | Minister’s remarks on licence cancellation and financial allegations |
| 15 June | Ad-din Foundation press briefing and announcement of appeal |
Dr Sheikh Mahmud Uddin reiterated that the hospital will formally challenge the decision regarding licence cancellation through the appropriate legal process. He also outlined ongoing renovation work, particularly concerning ventilation systems, and confirmed that hospital services continue with the presence of critically ill patients.