Patients currently admitted to Ad-Din Hospital in the capital will be shifted to six government hospitals in Dhaka after health authorities revoked the facility's license following the deaths of six newborns.
The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has instructed that patients at the hospital be referred on an emergency basis to designated government hospitals and directed the receiving facilities to ensure urgent treatment for those transferred.
A letter to this effect was sent by the DGHS to government medical hospitals in Dhaka on Friday.
The designated hospitals are Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Sir Salimullah Medical College Hospital, Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, Mugda Medical College Hospital, Kurmitola General Hospital, and Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute.
Earlier on Thursday, the DGHS informed the owner of Ad-Din Hospital that the facility's license had been revoked.
The health directorate said the decision was taken after the hospital failed to provide a satisfactory response to a show-cause notice.
“Under Section 11(2)(b) of the Medical Practice and Private Clinics and Laboratories (Regulation) Ordinance, 1982, the license of your hospital has been canceled,” the DGHS said in its letter.
According to the letter, an investigation committee was formed under Section 11(1) of the ordinance following the sudden deaths of six newborns on May 27 at Ad-Din Hospital, located at 2 Bara Moghbazar in Dhaka and owned by Dr. Sheikh Mohiuddin.
Based on the committee's report, the hospital was directed on June 4 to explain by June 7 why its license should not be canceled.
In response, the institution sought additional time through a letter submitted on June 7. The DGHS subsequently extended the deadline until June 9.
However, the response and explanation submitted by the hospital on June 9 were found unsatisfactory by the authorities.
As a result, the DGHS revoked the hospital's license under Section 11(2)(b) of the Medical Practice and Private Clinics and Laboratories (Regulation) Ordinance, 1982.
The ordinance provides an opportunity for appeal. Under Section 12, the hospital may appeal to the government or seek a review of the cancellation order within 30 days of the revocation, according to the letter.