Journalists covering the investigation into the deaths of six newborn babies at Ad-Din Medical College Hospital in Dhaka have alleged that they were assaulted by hospital staff after attempting to document a bakery facility discovered inside the hospital building during a government inspection.
The incident took place around 7:00 p.m. on Saturday at the hospital’s main gate in the capital’s Moghbazar area, according to multiple reporters who said they were attacked while trying to gather footage related to the ongoing probe.
The allegations emerged just hours after Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain visited the hospital alongside senior officials from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The visit came amid growing public concern over the unexplained deaths of six newborn infants who died within a span of a few hours earlier this week.
Following the inspection, the minister told reporters that investigators had discovered what he described as a “bread factory” operating on an upper floor of the hospital building.
“We found a bakery where bread was being produced using electric ovens. However, no electrical engineer was found supervising the operation,” the minister said during a media briefing after touring the facility.
He added that experts would examine whether emissions from the facility could have generated gases harmful to newborns.
“We will investigate whether any gas produced from this factory could have exceeded the tolerance level of infants. A specialist team will return tomorrow for further observation and technical assessment,” he said.
The minister also said the government investigation committee had not yet been able to speak comprehensively with all the families who lost children in the incident and had requested additional time to complete its work.
The discovery of the bakery has introduced a new dimension to an investigation already focused on possible technical failures inside the hospital. Government officials have previously suggested that the deaths may not have resulted from medical complications alone.
“We do not think the sudden deaths of six children occurred due to treatment complications. We suspect some technical issue or fault may have been responsible,” DGHS Additional Director General Prof. Zahid Raihan told reporters after the deaths were reported.
Journalists Describe Assault
Several journalists alleged that tensions escalated after the minister’s briefing when members of the media attempted to enter the hospital to verify and photograph the facility mentioned during the inspection.
Md. Ripon, a reporter for Somoy TV, said journalists were initially unable to accompany the minister inside the hospital. After the briefing, however, they attempted to collect footage from within the premises.
“When we tried to take footage inside the hospital after the briefing, people associated with the authorities became aggressive. At one stage, they attacked media workers,” Ripon said.
According to him, reporters fled to a nearby residence to seek shelter as a group allegedly chased them.
“They threw coconuts, bricks and other objects at us. They even tried to break down the door of the room where we had taken refuge, but failed. Later, local residents intervened and dispersed them,” he said.
Nibir Saha, a reporter with Star News, also alleged that hospital authorities prevented journalists from entering the premises.
“At one point we were standing near the gate facing Moghbazar. Later, we saw hospital workers being brought in to form a human shield in front of the main entrance. While speaking with one of the managers, a group suddenly became aggressive and attacked,” he said.
According to Saha, more than 20 journalists from various media organizations were present during the incident.
“Some tried to snatch cameras, while others attempted to damage equipment. Journalists tried to escape through a narrow alley beside the gate toward Moghbazar intersection. Several media workers suffered physical assault and injuries,” he said.
Hospital authorities could not immediately be reached for comment. Calls placed to the hospital director and an assistant director reportedly went unanswered.
Ramna Police Station Investigation Officer Ashiq Iqbal said no formal complaint had yet been filed.
“No complaint has been received from either side regarding the incident. If a complaint is submitted, legal action will be taken in accordance with the law,” he told reporters.
Deaths of Six Newborns Spark National Concern
The confrontation comes as public attention remains focused on the deaths of six newborn babies at the hospital on the eve of Eid-ul-Azha.
The infants, aged between one and three days, died within a few hours on Wednesday morning while staying in a post-delivery ward at Ad-Din Medical College Hospital. The exact cause of death remains unknown.
According to health officials, complaints had been raised during the night that the room was excessively cold, leading staff to switch off the air-conditioning system for a period of time. Investigators are examining whether ventilation failures, gas exposure, or other technical issues may have contributed to the tragedy.
A three-member investigation committee formed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has been tasked with determining the cause of the deaths. Authorities have also expanded the inquiry with technical experts and engineers.
Meanwhile, the family of one of the deceased infants has filed a negligence case against the hospital authorities at Ramna Police Station.
The latest allegations of violence against journalists are likely to intensify scrutiny of the hospital and raise further questions about transparency surrounding one of Bangladesh’s most disturbing hospital incidents in recent years.
