‘Should be hanged’: Health minister blames Rajshahi hospital director for 33 children’s death

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain has expressed strong anger over the deaths of 33 children in 11 days at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, allegedly due to a shortage of ICU ventilators, and said the hospital director should face the harshest punishment.

“He [hospital director] should be hanged,” the minister said while speaking at a programme on medical ethics held at the Shaheed Abu Sayeed International Convention Centre in the capital’s Shahbagh today (28 March). 

The minister said the hospital director failed to notify the ministry about the critical shortage of ventilators. 

“Thirty-three babies have died in 11 days, yet we were not informed about the ventilator shortage. This is extremely unfortunate.”

The minister further said that when he initially spoke to the director, the latter claimed the media had exaggerated the issue. However, subsequent reports confirmed that the information published in the media was accurate, he added.

Due to delays in government procedures, the minister said he has taken personal initiatives to arrange ventilators to tackle the emergency. 

“With support from several pharmaceutical manufacturers, three ventilators are being procured, and efforts are underway to secure two more. These are being arranged through private assistance rather than government funding,” he added.

Between 10 March and 24 March, at least 44 children undergoing treatment at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital died after failing to secure admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), hospital officials said.

The hospital has a 40-bed ICU, with only 12 for children. 

Dr Abu Hena Mostafa Kamal, head of the ICU, told The Business Standard earlier that all of the deceased were in critical condition but could not be accommodated due to an acute shortage of specialised pediatric beds.

Speaking at the event today, the minister also stressed the importance of professional conduct and ethics among doctors, noting that patients place deep trust in physicians, who must act responsibly in both behaviour and service. He acknowledged that heavy workloads and fatigue can sometimes lead to medical errors.

Expressing concern over allegations of unethical practices by some doctors, he emphasised the need for updated knowledge of modern treatment methods and regular training.

Sharing his personal experiences with medical care, the minister said that in many cases unnecessary surgeries could be avoided through proper guidance and alternative treatments.

He called on all stakeholders to be more aware and responsible to ensure improved service quality and accountability in the health sector.