United News of Bangladesh

Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain on Sunday criticised opposition Jamaat lawmakers for defending Ad-din hospital, saying it’s license was suspended due to utter negligence that led the death of six babies. "Why do you link every issue with your party ideology? One cannot oppose the country in the name of ideology, which you had done in 1971,” he said, pointing at the opposition bench members in Parliament. The Health Minister said this taking part in the general discussion on the proposed national budget for 2026-2027 fiscal year in the House. “Being the health minister, I must look after the health and welfare of my people. My children cannot be allowed to die without treatment,” he said adding that the hospital took permission on condition of maintaining discipline. The minister expressed deep sympathy for the families of the six babies who died alleging that the deaths resulted from negligence at Ad-din Hospital. He said it is true that Ad-din provides dialysis services at a subsidised rate of Tk 200 to Tk 250 as claimed by them (Jamaat MPs). Countering arguments raised by the opposition in Parliament, "They (Jamaat MPs) asked whether a headache should be treated by cutting off the head. I say ‘No’, it should not. But those who cut off heads must be brought to justice." The minister also rejected comparison between the Ad-din incident and a deadly fire at United Hospital during the Covid-19 pandemic. The license of United Hospital was not suspended following death of six persons at a fire as it was an accident but it is an incident of gross negligence in Ad-din hospital, he said. Raising the horrible picture at Ad-din Hospital, Sakhawat Husain alleged that the newborns had struggled for their lives after the air conditioning system was switched off in a room without windows and there was no oxygen supply. "The babies were gasping for breath while 16 or 17 mothers ran around helplessly. They eventually collapsed and died due to carbon dioxide accumulation. Even the owner (of the hospital) did not come to see the situation (after the death incident)," he claimed. The minister said he visited the hospital the following day and spoke with two doctors. "I found that the babies died because of negligence and a lack of oxygen. Should we have remained silent? Hospital discipline comes first. Bangladesh comes first," he said. He further alleged that a bakery had been established adjacent to the hospital in violation of safety standards, creating a serious fire hazard. "If a fire broke out there, no patient or attendant would be able to escape…..This happened because of the owner's negligence," he alleged. Defending the government's action, the minister said they had just suspended the hospital's licence rather than shutting it down permanently. "We have not asked to cut off heads. We have only suspended its licence. We, the government, are overseeing it. But you should not do politics for partisan gain," he told the opposition lawmakers.

A comprehensive hospital automation system featuring electronic medical records, laboratory test management, pharmacy medicine distribution and tracking, user fee collection and referral services is currently operational in 87 government hospitals across the country, Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain told Parliament on Wednesday. The minister said the system has been introduced in 61 Upazila health complexes, 14 district hospitals, two medical college hospitals and 10 national-level hospitals, he said while replying to a question from BNP lawmaker Sultana Ahmed of reserved women's seat-22. He said the digital system has already yielded significant benefits for both healthcare providers and patients. The minister said government revenue has increased as all service fees are now digitally recorded.“The digital preservation of patient information has also reduced costs for patients, as previously stored medical data can be reused without requiring duplicate procedures or documentation.” The system further enables the transfer of a patient's treatment records from one hospital to another with the patient's consent, eliminating the need to carry paper files, he said. Sakhawat Husain also highlighted the government's e-appointment initiative, which allows people to obtain hospital tickets from home without having to queue at hospital counters. Patients can use their digital tickets to directly access outpatient services from physicians, he said. At present, e-ticketing services are available in 15 hospitals, with plans to gradually expand the programme to all hospitals nationwide. The minister informed Parliament that a Development Project Proposal (DPP) aimed at expanding the integrated hospital management system is currently under review by the Planning Commission and awaiting approval at an Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) meeting. Once approved, the project will be implemented in phases to bring hospitals at all levels under the integrated management system, he said. To facilitate the implementation of the DPP, a pilot Technical Assistance Project Proposal (TAPP) has already been drafted. Under the pilot project, unique health IDs, e-health cards and integrated automation services will be introduced in five districts, the minister added.

Any concerns over whether changes in vaccine procurement procedures have adversely affected immunisation activities will be reviewed based on technical assessments and relevant evidence, Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain told Parliament on Wednesday. Legal action would be taken if any negligence is found, he said replying to a question from BNP lawmaker Musammat Shammi Akther of the reserved women's seat-22. The minister noted that vaccine procurement, storage and distribution under the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) are carried out in line with international standards and government regulations. The government has outlined a comprehensive strategy to bring every child under vaccination coverage and build a strong immunity shield against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases, Sakhawat Husain said. The government's primary objective is to ensure that no child remains outside the national immunisation programme, he said. Highlighting the government's ongoing response to the current measles outbreak, Sakhawat Husain said, “Vaccine refusal, incomplete immunisation coverage, lack of public awareness and certain geographical and social barriers contribute to the spread of the disease.” He said responsibility for outbreaks and related deaths can only be determined through proper investigations and evidence-based assessments. “If negligence, dereliction of duty or failure to perform responsibilities is found on the part of any official, disciplinary and administrative actions will be taken in accordance with existing laws and regulations.” To prevent similar situations in the future, the government has already undertaken measures to ensure uninterrupted vaccine supply, strengthen vaccine stock management, expand disease surveillance, improve outbreak detection and response systems, raise public awareness and enhance coordination with national and international partners. The minister also said special vaccination campaigns would continue to increase measles immunisation coverage and protect vulnerable populations across the country. As part of the strategy, the government will continue nationwide supplementary immunisation activities (SIA), including emergency vaccination campaigns and crash programmes to contain outbreaks. Priority will be given to identifying and vaccinating "zero-dose" children who have missed routine immunisation, he said. Children living in high-risk areas will also receive an additional dose of the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine through special campaigns, even if they have previously been vaccinated, to ensure maximum protection. The minister said special attention is being given to densely populated and high-risk areas, including Dhaka North and South City Corporations and Cox's Bazar, where large numbers of displaced people reside. According to the Health Ministry's plan, intensive neighbourhood-based vaccination activities will be carried out in these areas over the coming months through detailed micro-planning. To prevent children from being left out of future immunisation programmes, the government is also modernising the health system through digital solutions. The minister said the expansion of the E-Tracker System and ensuring 100 per cent online registration of children's vaccination records are among the key initiatives. Efforts are also underway to strengthen and modernise the cold chain system to maintain vaccine quality, particularly in remote areas. Sakhawat Husain said surveillance and rapid response mechanisms are being reinforced to detect and manage measles cases at an early stage. Community-Based Surveillance (CBS) teams are being formed to identify suspected measles cases in the field and at hotspot locations. The government also plans to ensure adequate supplies of testing kits and expand specialised treatment facilities, including Bubble CPAP support for children suffering from measles-related pneumonia, up to the upazila level. He added that treatment services for infected children, provision of Vitamin A capsules and measures to prevent complications are being strengthened. The minister said public awareness campaigns would be intensified through community meetings, public announcements and mass media initiatives to address vaccine hesitancy and negligence. Special efforts will target working parents and disadvantaged communities.

Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Health Affairs Ziauddin Hyder on Sunday said there is no need to form an investigation committee over the lapse in measles vaccination as the reasons behind the failure are already known. “There was negligence here and we can say that without any doubt.Because of their negligence, the vaccine round scheduled for 2024–25 was completely missed. Yes, no vaccine procurement was carried out. Likewise, contraceptive products for family planning were not procured. There is no need for an investigation to establish this," he told reporters responding to a question at a press briefing at Secretariat. The briefing was arranged to share outcomes of his recent visit to Europe including participation in the 34th International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) Triennial Congress held in Lisbon, Portugal. Hyder said the issue stemmed from shifting the programme from an operational plan (OP) to a Development Project Proposal (DPP). “We know what happened. The programme was transferred from the operational plan to a DPP. At that time, it may have been assumed that the DPPs would be approved within one to one-and-a-half months and funds would become available. But in reality, many DPPs could not even be properly prepared within a year, let alone receive approval from ECNEC and establish project offices,” he said. The regular flow of funds that had been available through the OP mechanism was halted before a new funding channel was put in place, creating a gap that the country is still dealing with, he added. Hyder said the government is working intensively to address shortages of family planning products and other essential health supplies. “Many family planning products are out of stock in different places. Our minister and all concerned are working to procure them as quickly as possible,” he said. The Health Minister is currently visiting Copenhagen, Denmark, to hold discussions with UNICEF’s Supply Division headquarters to expedite the procurement of essential products and address existing shortages. “We are working day and night to ensure that these gaps are filled as quickly as possible,” he said.    

More than 23,000 posts of doctors, nurses and health workers remain vacant in government hospitals across the country, Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain told Parliament on Wednesday. “Out of 41,806 approved posts for doctors in government hospitals, 9,407 are currently vacant,” he said, while replying to a scripted question from treasury bench lawmaker Khairul Kabir Khokon (Narsingdi-1). The health minister also said 5,032 of the 49,501 approved nursing posts remain unfilled, while 8,784 posts of health workers are vacant against a total approved 26,544 positions in the government hospitals across the country. As a result, a total of 94,628 doctors, nurses and health workers are currently serving against 117,851 approved posts in government hospitals nationwide.  

Negligence at Ad-Din Medical College Hospital led to the deaths of six infants, said Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain on Thursday. The findings of the Health Ministry’s probe body were presented at a press conference at Secretariat where the minister said the inquiry report clearly established serious lapses in hospital management and patient care. Exemplary punitive action would be taken against the hospital authorities, he said. According to the investigation report, the hospital’s air conditioning system in the affected ward remained non-functional for an extended period. The lack of proper cooling and ventilation created a severe oxygen shortage, resulting in a dangerous rise in carbon dioxide levels inside the unit. The probe committee also found evidence of gross negligence by administrative officers, on-duty doctors, and nurses responsible for neonatal intensive care. They were found to have failed in fulfilling their assigned duties and maintaining adequate monitoring of newborns. Besides, the post-operative ward was reportedly overcrowded in a small enclosed space, with patient numbers exceeding its capacity. This overcrowding further worsened the already critical conditions, contributing to the tragedy, the report said. Earlier on Monday, the minister said legal action will be taken over the deaths of six newborns at Ad-Din Hospital based on the findings of probe committees. On May 27, six newborns died in its postnatal ward at Ad-Din Medical College Hospital within three hours in Moghbazar area of the capital.  

Legal action will be taken over the deaths of six newborns at Ad-Din Hospital based on the findings of probe committees, said Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain on Monday. A probe committee formed by the Ministry is already investigating the incident while another investigation committee will be formed by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the minister told reporters after a meeting at the Secretariat. The Health Ministry sought legal advice from the Attorney General regarding the scope and functioning of the DGHS-led investigation committee, he added. "The formation of an investigation committee by the DGHS is necessary. Due to the Eid holidays, it could not be formed earlier. The committee will be constituted today and is expected tosubmit its report within three days," he said. He said the committee needs to speak with the mothers of the deceased newborns to make the report more comprehensive and practical. The ministry invited the Attorney General to provide guidance on the legal aspects of the investigation and on how to proceed in accordance with the law, he added. "We informed the Attorney General about the steps we have taken and the process being followed. He has provided legal advice and we will carry out the remaining tasks accordingly. We expect to receive the report within three days and will share the details afterward," he added. After the meeting, Attorney General Ruhul Quddus Kazal said discussions focused on identifying any liability and ensuring that appropriate legal measures are taken against those found responsible. The head of the investigation committee informed the meeting that the report would be submitted by June 3, he said. Deputy Attorney General Al Faisal Siddiqui has been included in the committee to provide legal support and ensure that no individual or institution found responsible can evade accountability through legal loopholes, he said. "The Health Minister sought legal assistance and I have outlined the relevant legal issues before the minister and the committee. We believe those genuinely responsible will face justice. We hope such incidents do not recur in the future," the Attorney General said. Meanwhile, the minister said Ad-Din Hospital authorities said it obtained a licence from the Department of Environment to operate a bakery on its premises. "We are examining how and why the licence was issued," he said. On May 27, six newborns died in its postnatal ward at Ad-Din Medical College Hospital within three hours in Moghbazar area of the capital.    

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain on Monday said more than 2 crore children across the country have already been vaccinated against measles, surpassing the government’s initial target. “The measles vaccination campaign is still continuing despite exceeding the target,” he said while speaking to reporters at Cumilla Medical College Hospital in the morning. The minister visited the medical as well as Cumilla General Hospital. He stated that children are being vaccinated under both routine Expanded Programme on Immunzsation (EPI) and special outreach programme. Sakhawat Husain said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is working sincerely to prevent measles and assured that various problems in the country’s health sector will be resolved gradually. Sixteen children died from measles-like symptoms in Bangladesh in the 24 hours till 8:00am on Sunday, the 2nd-highest death toll in a single day since the outbreak in March last. With the latest fatalities, the death toll has reached 528 this year.

Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain on Monday said the measles situation is expected to come under control within four weeks as vaccinated people will develop immunity during this period. The number of patients has already started declining, he said while talking to reporters after visiting Barishal Sadar Hospital in the morning. Measles vaccination was supposed to be administered every four years but the continuity was disrupted after 2020, leading to the current outbreak, he said The present government initially had no stock of measles vaccines but managed to procure them within a short time, he added. During his visit to Barishal Sadar Hospital, the minister first inspected the ticket counter and suspended an employee after finding him absent from duty. Later, he checked the attendance registers of doctors and spoke to patients receiving treatment. According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) report, eleven more children died from measles and with measles-like symptoms across the country in 24 hours until 8:00 am Sunday, bringing the total number to 409 since March 15.  

More than 81% of children in Bangladesh have received measles vaccine and the government is working to achieve 100 percent coverage soon, Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain said on Sunday. “We have achieved 81% coverage in measles vaccination. The remaining children will brought under vaccination very soon,” the minister said at a press briefing at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka after the second session of the Deputy Commissioners’ Conference. Measles is currently under control in the country and the death rate has declined significantly, he said. There is an adequate supply of vaccines and distribution across the country is running smoothly, he said. A nationwide emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign was launched on April 20 to vaccinate around 1.8 crore children aged 6 months to under 5 years across the country. Besides, on April 5, the government, with support from UNICEF, WHO and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, launched an emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign to protect more than 1.2 million children aged 6 months to 5 years in 30 upazilas in 18 high-risk districts. Meanwhile, 10 children died from measles and symptoms consistent with the highly contagious but preventable disease in the country in 24 hours till 8:00am on Sunday, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Of the new deaths, one was confirmed as measles-related, while the remaining nine were classified as suspected. Of the suspected deaths, highest four were recorded in Dhaka. With this, the total number of confirmed deaths from measles has risen to 50 and suspected deaths to 244 since March 15.