The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on Thursday served notice to Ad-Din Hospital demanding its explanation over the deaths of six newborn children at the facility in a single day last month.
“The notice seeks an explanation as to why the hospital's licence should not be cancelled for violating provisions of the Medical Practice and Private Clinics and Laboratories (Regulation) Ordinance, 1982,” a DGHS spokesman said.
He said the show cause notice, signed by DGHS director for hospitals and clinics, asked Ad-Din’s owner Dr Sheikh Mohiuddin to clarify the facility’s stance on the issue within 72 hours.
“The notice demanded the explanation by 4 pm of June 7,” the official said.
The notice informed the hospital owner that DGHS formed an investigation committee on June 1 following the near simultaneous deaths of six newborns at his facility on May 27.
During its investigation, the committee recorded statements of the private hospital’s director general, additional director, pediatrics department’s head, doctors working at the NICU, nurses and “ayas” on duty on that day alongside patients, attendants and deceased newborns family members.
The investigation found the provisions of The Medical Practice and Private Clinics and Laboratories (Regulation) Ordinance, 1982 had not been properly followed in running the the hospital, leading to the deaths of the six newborns.
According to the notice, the hospital authorities could respond either in person or in writing within the 72-hour deadline.
