Action against Ad-din Hospital if show-cause reply not satisfactory: Minister

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain has said legal action would be taken against Ad-din Hospital if its reply to a show-cause notice over the deaths of six newborns is not found satisfactory.

He said this at a press conference at his official residence on Minto Road in the capital on Saturday.

“The Ad-din Hospital authorities have been asked to submit their reply to the show-cause notice by Sunday afternoon, explaining why their license should not be cancelled. If the response is not satisfactory, action will be taken in accordance with the law,” he said.

Sakhawat said legal provisions would be enforced in the public interest and to ensure the safety of people's lives. If the authorities fail to provide a satisfactory explanation, the highest possible action under the existing law will be taken, he added.

A criminal case has already been filed over the incident, he added, noting that further action would be taken based on the findings of the investigation.

Referring to the government’s initiative to bring healthcare services closer to people, Sakhawat said the government is launching an ambulance service programme.

“The government is working to introduce an ambulance service which will serve the patient at the doorsteps. Detailed discussions in this regard have been held and decisions taken under the chairmanship of the prime minister.

He said the government is preparing a master plan to provide the service in three stages- from villages to upazilas, from upazilas to districts, and from districts to the capital, using three different types of specially designed ambulances for patient transportation.

Once implemented, the project will enable modern emergency healthcare services to reach people in remote areas at a very low cost, he added.

Sakhawat said the ambulances would be designed locally, taking into account the country’s geographical and road communication conditions. Initially, the project is planned to begin with one upazila as a model.

The locally manufactured electric ambulances will be equipped with necessary medical equipment, oxygen support, and all modern emergency facilities.

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Technical and design support for the ambulances will be provided by Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).

The minister also said awareness rallies had been organised across the country to prevent dengue.

He said awareness programmes and cleanliness campaigns were conducted from Rabindra Sarani and throughout Dhaka city, as well as in district towns nationwide to promote public awareness and cleanliness.

People have been urged to remain alert to control dengue, he said, adding that the necessary medicines for the treatment of infected patients are available.