Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain told Parliament that the deaths of six newborns at Ad-Din Hospital in Dhaka’s Moghbazar on May 27 were caused by oxygen shortage and negligence. Speaking during the general discussion on the proposed 2026–27 national budget, he said the hospital’s license was suspended to bring discipline to private healthcare institutions. The minister held the hospital’s owner responsible, citing mismanagement and the appointment of the owner’s wife as chief executive after the incident.

Responding to opposition criticism, Hossain said the government had only suspended the hospital’s license, not shut it down, and rejected comparisons with previous fire incidents at United Hospital and the Burn Unit, which he described as accidents. He emphasized that Ad-Din’s case involved negligence, not an accident, and described the lack of oxygen and medical response during the tragedy.

State Minister for Health Dr. M.A. Muhith also addressed Parliament, noting that 80 percent of healthcare costs in Bangladesh are paid out-of-pocket by patients. He said the new budget aims to rebuild the health system, ensure free and equitable care, and strengthen transparency and accountability in health management.