Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain has said the government will decide on Ad-Din Hospital after conducting a fresh inspection, following the hospital's request for a reassessment after addressing identified shortcomings.
He made the remarks while responding to a question from journalists at a press briefing on healthcare services in flood-affected areas at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in the Secretariat on Monday.
Asked whether the government was backtracking on its decision to cancel the hospital's licence, the minister said the authorities had acted immediately after the deaths of six children to avoid criticism over inaction.
He said the hospital had been instructed to rectify various deficiencies, including those related to its intensive care unit (ICU), and the authorities informed the ministry that renovation work was underway.
The minister said Ad-Din Hospital had requested a fresh inspection. Officials from the Health Ministry will assess the current situation, and if satisfactory progress is found, the government will take the necessary decision.
Referring to the affected family, Sakhawat said he had learned that the hospital authorities had provided financial assistance. However, as a case over the incident is pending, the matter will be resolved through legal proceedings.
He added that the ministry has not granted the hospital any final clearance, and any further decision will depend on the outcome of the re-inspection.