Recently, following the tragic deaths of six newborns at Ad-Din Medical College Hospital in Moghbazar, Dhaka, the Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Dr. Provat Chandra Biswas, announced at a press conference that the hospital's licence may be revoked. The deaths of these newborns are undoubtedly heartbreaking. A fair, impartial, and thorough investigation is essential, and those found responsible must face exemplary punishment. At the same time, however, a fundamental question arises: Is it an institution that commits wrongdoing, or is it individuals?

The reality is that institutions themselves do not commit errors or crimes; individuals do. Such responsibility may lie with physicians, administrators, employees, or other concerned authorities. A hospital is not an ordinary institution. It is closely linked to human life, healthcare, public trust, hope, and employment. It is built over many years through substantial investment, dedicated professionals, sacrifice, and public confidence. Therefore, the decision to shut down a hospital—particularly one that has earned the trust of ordinary people by providing affordable healthcare—should be made with the utmost caution.

Ad-Din Medical College Hospital was established in 1997 and has since grown into one of the country's major non-profit healthcare institutions. Ad-Din Women's Medical College, located on the same campus, was founded in 2008 and began its academic activities in December of that year. The institution admits a significant number of students annually, and hundreds are currently enrolled. It also employs a large number of physicians, academic staff, officers, and employees. The hospital has long been known for providing healthcare while respecting patients' modesty and religious values. It offers specialised maternal and child healthcare, medical education, and 24-hour emergency services. Over the years, it has earned the trust of the public by providing quality healthcare at an affordable cost.

Unfortunately, treatment-related deaths and other adverse incidents are not uncommon in hospitals across Bangladesh. Such incidents are often followed by vandalism, assaults on healthcare professionals, and heightened public unrest. Consequently, healthcare delivery has become an increasingly sensitive and high-risk profession. While accountability in the health sector is indispensable, it is equally important to ensure continuity of services and maintain a safe environment for healthcare providers.

In Bangladesh, government hospitals remain insufficient in both capacity and quality to meet the healthcare needs of the country's large population. As a result, the private sector has become an indispensable partner in delivering healthcare services. It would be extremely difficult for the government alone to provide quality healthcare to all citizens. Therefore, decisions that discourage private investment and participation in healthcare may have serious long-term consequences. In particular, abruptly suspending the operations of the hospital that provides relatively affordable healthcare would ultimately harm ordinary people the most.

As a concerned citizen, I firmly believe that the law must never be applied selectively or against particular institutions, groups, or sectors. It is no secret that irregularities, mismanagement, and corruption exist across many sectors of our society. Therefore, impartial, equal, and non-discriminatory enforcement of the law is essential—not only in healthcare but also in education, market regulation, anti-corruption efforts, and every other sphere of public life. Selective or discriminatory application of the law inevitably raises questions about the neutrality of the administration and erodes public confidence.

In conclusion, the tragic deaths of the newborns at Ad-Din Hospital demand a fair and impartial investigation, and those individuals found responsible must receive exemplary punishment. However, holding an entire institution accountable for the alleged negligence of a few individuals by shutting down a long-established healthcare facility or revoking its licence cannot be considered a just or proportionate response. The proposed action by the Directorate General of Health Services appears more likely to complicate the situation than to resolve it and is unlikely to produce any positive or constructive outcome.

At a time when access to quality healthcare remains limited in Bangladesh, abruptly closing a functioning hospital would create immense hardship for the general public. Therefore, instead of reacting impulsively by shutting down the hospital, it would be far more prudent, in the interest of justice and public welfare, to allow the institution to continue providing healthcare services while ensuring that those truly responsible are brought to justice. This ultimately raises a broader question: Can Bangladesh build a safe, humane, and high-quality healthcare system through emotionally driven and short-sighted decisions, or without ensuring the impartial and universal application of the law?

Author is a Vice-Chancellor, Eastern University, Dhaka