A father’s plea: Man accuses doctor of negligence

Seeks action against head of neuro-surgery at Shifa International Hospital.

PESHAWAR: A resident of Mardan, Muhammad Humayun Khilji, has asked the authorities to take action against health officials for their alleged negligence in providing adequate and timely medical treatment to his daughter.

Khilji, the father of Fatima Muskan, a grade 8 student, said during a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club on Wednesday that due to the negligence of doctors at Shifa International Hospital, his daughter is presently fighting for her life.

He said his daughter developed a severe headache and nausea in the third week of January and was taken to Lady Reading Hospital. When her health deteriorated she was admitted to Shifa International Hospital where she was operated on.

“After no improvement in her condition, the doctor who heads the neuro-surgery department, suggested another operation after a lapse of five days,” said Khilji, adding after the second surgery the doctor said the problem was not serious and just a slight infection that had been fixed.

Fatima was discharged from the hospital but her health deteriorated and an MRI scan later revealed she had developed a tumor in her brain, informed Khilji, adding that the same doctor is now recommending another method of treatment.

The furious father said the doctor’s failure to diagnose her symptoms and provide necessary treatment in time has resulted in the partial loss of Fatima’s eyesight as well as  her memory. She is now said to be fighting for her life.

He asked the government to take action against the doctor and save his daughter’s life.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 3^rd, 2014.