Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain today said those responsible for the deaths of six newborns at Ad-din Hospital would face the highest punishment under existing laws.

“The six newborns died due to the hospital’s negligence and the air-conditioning system remained shut down. We will ensure the maximum punishment under the law against the persons responsible for the incident ,” he said.

He made the remarks at a press conference held at the Health Ministry conference room at the Secretariat this afternoon after receiving the investigation report submitted by a ministry-formed probe committee.

Referring to the probe report, the minister said the ministry would adopt the toughest possible legal measures.“This time no one can be spared,” he added.

He said a three-member investigation committee formed by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) submitted its report at 3pm today, where evidence of negligence by hospital authorities and extreme irresponsibility by on-duty nurses and staff members were found.

According to the report, the hospital’s post-operative room where the incident occurred was completely unsuitable for patient care.

The 900-square-foot room reportedly accommodated far more people than its capacity, while prolonged closure of the air-conditioning system and lack of proper ventilation caused oxygen levels to drop dangerously and carbon dioxide levels to rise.

The minister said the post-operative room had already been sealed off. But the authorities could not immediately shut down the entire facility as   more than 200 patients are currently admitted to the hospital.

“We will review the legal aspects during the next two days of closure and take a final and strict decision regarding the hospital by Sunday,” he said.

It is mentionable that the six newborns died between 6am and 9am on May 27 at the hospital’s post-delivery ward.