The government has restored the operating licence of Ad-din Medical College Hospital in Dhaka’s Moghbazar, more than a month after it was revoked following the deaths of six newborns that sparked nationwide concern and scrutiny of healthcare standards.
In an office order issued today, July 27 (Monday), the Health Services Division withdrew its earlier decision to revoke the hospital’s licence and approved the resumption of its operations, subject to three conditions.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare warned that any future violation of the conditions could result in renewed legal action, including the cancellation of the hospital’s licence.
Mohammad Mohsin, joint secretary of the Health Services Division, confirmed the development.
According to ministry officials, the decision followed an appeal filed by the hospital authorities and a subsequent investigation into the deaths of six newborns at the facility in May.
The investigation committee carried out on-site inspections, reviewed relevant documents and examined available evidence before submitting its report. Based on the committee’s findings, the ministry considered the hospital’s corrective measures satisfactory and decided to reinstate the licence.
Under the conditions imposed by the ministry, the hospital must strictly comply with all existing laws, regulations and licensing requirements governing private healthcare facilities. It has also been instructed to ensure the recruitment of the required number of doctors, nurses and healthcare personnel in accordance with licensing standards.
The ministry further stated that the government or any authorised authority would be entitled to take legal action at any time if the hospital fails to comply with the conditions or is found responsible for future irregularities.
The licence was originally revoked after six newborns, aged between one and three days, died in the hospital’s post-operative ward on May 27. The incident triggered widespread public concern and prompted investigations by both the Ministry of Health and the Directorate General of Health Services.
Subsequent inquiries reportedly uncovered negligence by hospital staff, including nurses and other personnel, as well as a number of administrative shortcomings in the facility’s management. Based on those findings, the authorities issued a show-cause notice before cancelling the hospital’s licence on June 11.
Following the hospital’s appeal and a review of corrective measures undertaken by the authorities, the government has now decided to allow the facility to resume operations under close regulatory oversight.
Health ministry officials stressed that the reinstatement should not be interpreted as a waiver of responsibility and warned that any future allegations of negligence, malpractice or regulatory violations, if proven, would invite stringent action.
The ministry said patient safety, accountability and compliance with healthcare standards remain non-negotiable, adding that healthcare institutions must maintain the highest standards of professional and administrative conduct
