The government will not hesitate to take action in the public interest over the deaths of six newborns at Ad-din Hospital, Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain has said.
Speaking at a briefing at the Secretariat on Monday, he said the government’s decision would be announced after a specified review period.
According to the health minister, authorities have taken an additional two days to decide on measures against the hospital based on the investigation report. He added that a decision on the matter is expected to be announced on Tuesday.
Sakhawat Hossain said the government would appoint legal counsel to properly review the report and make recommendations regarding the decision.
He noted that the hospital authorities may appoint their own lawyers and provide compensation to the affected families, which is a matter for them. However, he stressed that such compensation would not influence or alter any government decision against the hospital.
Referring to preparations for the dengue season, the health minister said the government is making every effort to ensure readiness, including maintaining adequate supplies of saline for dengue patients.
Asked about his earlier statement to a parliamentary committee that a large number of children died from measles because vaccinations were not administered during the tenure of the interim government, he said the statement was accurate.
However, he added that the government is now working to eliminate measles through an expanded immunisation campaign.
He also said that Bangladesh currently exports pharmaceuticals to 140 countries and that the government is working to increase that number. To support this goal, he said, both public and private pharmaceutical companies would receive all necessary assistance from the government.
