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Published : 27 Jul 2026, 06:08 PM
The government has withdrawn its order cancelling the licence of Ad-din Medical College Hospital in Dhaka's Moghbazar around six weeks after it was revoked over the deaths of six newborns.
The Health Services Division on Monday said the hospital had been allowed to resume operations subject to conditions.
The hospital must fully comply with the Medical Practice and Private Clinics and Laboratories (Regulation) Ordinance, 1982, and complete the recruitment of doctors in line with its licence requirements without delay.
The Health Services Division warned in a notification that failure to comply with the conditions could lead to legal action by the government.
The licence was cancelled after six newborns died in the hospital's post-delivery ward on the morning of May 27, the day before Eid-ul-Azha.
Hospital authorities had said 11 mothers and six newborns were in the ward at the time.
They claimed several babies fell ill after the air conditioning, which had been switched off for some time overnight, was turned back on.
The newborns were transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit, but all six later died.
Their bodies were handed over to their families without postmortem examinations following requests from relatives.
A health ministry investigation later found evidence of negligence by the hospital authorities.
On Jun 11, Director General of Health Services Dr Pravath Chandra Biswas announced the cancellation of the hospital's licence, saying Ad-din Hospital had failed to provide a satisfactory explanation after being served with a show-cause notice on Jun 4.
Under Article 12 of the ordinance, the hospital had 30 days to appeal the decision. It filed its appeal on Jun 24.
The licence cancellation later sparked a public row between Health Minister Sardar Sakhawat Husain and the hospital authorities.
On Jun 13, the minister alleged that Ad-din Hospital officials had attempted to influence him with "millions" to save the licence, saying he had rejected the offer and proceeded with the cancellation.
Two days later, Ad-din Foundation's the then executive director Dr Sheikh Mohiuddin dismissed the allegation, saying the minister would have to produce evidence to support his claim.
On Jul 13, the minister said officials would reassess the hospital after inspecting whether it had addressed deficiencies, including problems in its ICU and other facilities.
He stressed that no final clearance had yet been granted.
Monday's notification said the committee formed to review Ad-din Hospital’s appeal had conducted an on-site inspection and submitted a satisfactory report.
Based on its findings, the government withdrew the licence cancellation order and allowed the hospital to resume operations under the prescribed conditions.
