A wave of public anger has erupted across Bangladesh after multiple child deaths at Rajshahi Medical College (RMC) Hospital due to shortages of ICU beds and ventilators. Despite Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain’s harsh criticism, hospital director Brigadier General P.K.M. Masudul Islam remains in his position. The minister had condemned the director for failing to inform authorities about the lack of neonatal ventilators, saying he deserved severe punishment. The issue has sparked nationwide debate over weaknesses in the country’s healthcare management.

The minister stated that after learning of the incident, he personally spoke with the director but received no satisfactory explanation. The director initially dismissed the matter as media exaggeration but later could not deny the reported facts in his official report. On Sunday, the director was seen performing his regular duties and holding meetings with department heads, though no details of the discussions were disclosed.

Local residents and health professionals have long complained about inadequate ICU facilities at RMC, particularly for newborns. Analysts warn that without swift administrative action, public trust in the health sector could erode further.