Relatives of six newborns who died at Ad‑Din Medical College Hospital in Dhaka’s Moghbazar alleged that a toxic gas leak from the air‑conditioner and a suffocating ward environment caused the deaths.
They accused the hospital authorities of negligence, mismanagement and attempts to conceal information. The hospital, however, termed the incident “accidental.”
Panic and grief swept the hospital after the deaths. The CID and PBI have begun investigations, while the Directorate General of Health Services has formed a probe committee.
How the tragedy unfolded
The hospital sources said around 2am a nurse noticed hot air instead of cold coming from the AC. Soon after, newborns began struggling to breathe. The AC was switched off at 3am, and by dawn six infants were rushed to the NICU in critical condition. All died shortly after admission.
At the time, 11 mothers were admitted in the ward. Five of their babies were already in the NICU, while the others aged one to three days remained with their mothers in the ward.
Relatives broke down outside the hospital, accusing staff of negligence. Masuda Begum from Sirajdikhan, Munshiganj, wept for her three‑day‑old granddaughter. She said, “If the nurse had warned us earlier, my grandchild could have survived. We didn’t even get to name her.”
Md Jahangir Hossain, nephew of another mother, said, “The ward was so congested that even we struggled to breathe — how could the infants survive? The ceilings were broken too. Tell me, does filing a case ever bring justice?”
Md Zakir Hossain, uncle of another victim, said his nephew was born healthy at 2am Saturday but died after being taken to the NICU at dawn. “It was their first child. Everything is ruined,” he cried.
Relatives also alleged harassment in collecting necessary documents after the deaths, saying files were missing and staff left the premises after the incident, and no cooperation was available from them.
Hospital Director (Administration) Tarikul Islam confirmed the deaths but could not immediately explain how the gas leakage occurred or identify the victims.
At a press briefing, officials insisted the incident was “accidental” but did not address allegations of negligence or harassment.
DMP Ramna Division Additional Deputy Commissioner Rabbani Hossain said investigations are underway. Ramna Police Inspector (Investigation) Ashiq Iqbal confirmed all six victims were newborns who died within a short span early Wednesday. CID and PBI are probing the source of the gas leak and the exact cause of deaths.
Probe body formed
DGHS Director General Prof Prabhat Chandra Biswas inspected the ward at noon with Acting Health Secretary and DGHS Additional DG (Administration) Prof Md Zahid Raihan.
He told reporters, “Early this morning we found a suffocating environment in the ward, possibly due to AC complications or other causes. Once the AC was off, there was no ventilation. In that situation, six children under treatment died. We suspect the deaths were caused by toxic gas.”
He said a high-level committee has been formed on the health minister’s orders, comprising a Joint Secretary of the ministry, a DGHS hospital wing deputy director, and another DGHS official.
The body will examine whether there were management failures, lapses in treatment, or environmental hazards in the ward. Technical experts may be co-opted if needed, the DGHS DG said.
