Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakawwat Hossain has said the government is proceeding strictly in accordance with the law in its action against Ad-din Medical College Hospital, rejecting the hospital authority’s claim that the show-cause notice issued to it was “illegal.”
The minister made the remarks while speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Saturday.
The development comes after an investigation committee formed over the deaths of six newborns at the hospital submitted its report, prompting the government to issue a show-cause notice to the hospital management.
“They have raised questions about the legality of the notice. But we have issued the show-cause notice in a completely lawful manner,” the minister said.
He informed that the hospital authorities have been asked to submit their reply by Sunday afternoon.
“They must answer by tomorrow afternoon why their licence should not be revoked,” he added.
The minister warned that if the response is found unsatisfactory, the government will take further legal action.
“If we are not satisfied with their reply, we will go as far as the law allows to ensure punishment in the interest of public health and human life,” he said.
He also said legal steps will be taken if the hospital fails to respond to the notice by the deadline.
The issue was also discussed during a meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the minister revealed. The prime minister, he said, had inquired about the notice period, and the government’s next course of action will be decided after receiving the hospital’s reply.
Referring to the criminal case filed over the deaths of the six newborns, Minister Hossain said the government’s decision would not be influenced even if some victim families express a desire to keep the hospital open.
“Six children have died. This is a criminal case. What the victims say or do not say will have no impact on our decision,” he asserted.
He also confirmed that other agencies, including the Fire Service, Rajuk, and the Department of Environment, are taking necessary legal actions from their respective jurisdictions. “No one will hold back,” he said.
In a separate initiative, the health minister announced plans to introduce two types of electric ambulances for patients in rural and remote areas.
When asked about modern ambulances lying unused at government hospitals, the minister acknowledged that while many remain operational, a shortage of drivers and fuel allocations has prevented their full utilisation.
“We will start addressing this issue from the beginning of July,” he said.
