Rat infestation: Court orders FIR against MS of Chandka Children Hospital

FIR to be lodged after newborns bit by rats in hospital’s neonatology ward.

SUKKUR: Following an attack on two newborns by rats on Sunday at Chandka Children Hospital's neonatology ward, the Larkana district and sessions judge has ordered the registration of an FIR against the hospital's medical superintendent and additional medical superintendent.

Two newborn girls - the three-day-old daughter of Imdad Gopang, a resident of Gharibabad Muhalla, Larkana, and the six-day-old daughter of Jameel Jamali, a resident of Jacobabad - were bitten on the nose and foot respectively on Sunday when some rats made their way into the neonatology ward. Both the babies were provided treatment by the hospital but their parents protested against the incident.

They told reporters that newborn babies are kept in this ward and it should be kept neat and clean. The presence of rats is very alarming, said one of the parents.

On Monday, Larkana district and sessions judge Abdul Ghafoor Kalhoro visited the hospital and ordered the registration of an FIR against medical superintendent Dr Muneer Ahmed Jokhio and additional medical superintendent Dr Abdul Sattar Shaikh on charges of criminal negligence.

Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah has ordered the provincial chief secretary to investigate the matter and report back to him. "I cannot tolerate such kind of negligence on the part of concerned officials. Strict punishment should be given to whoever is found responsible," he said. Health secretary Dr Saeed Ahmed Mangnejo immediately suspended and removed Dr Jokhio from his post and has also ordered an inquiry into the incident.

When contacted by The Express Tribune, Dr Jokhio denied that any such incident had taken place at the hospital. He blamed the newborns' parents and the media for creating unnecessary hype. "Being a medical superintendent, it is my duty to keep an eye on matters relating to the hospital and it is the duty of the doctors and paramedics to take efforts to keep their respective wards clean," he said.

He claimed that no one can stop rats from entering any place, be it a hospital ward, home or office. "I am probing the matter and will let the media know about its outcome," said Dr Jokhio.

Chandka Children Hospital has been a topic of debate due to the shortage of doctors and paramedic staff and other related facilities. Located at the border between Sindh and Balochistan, the hospital is frequently visited by patients from parts of Balochistan and other districts of Upper Sindh including Qamber-Shahdadkot, Naushehro Feroze, Khairpur, Shikarpur, Jacobabad and Kashmore-Kandhkot.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 15^th, 2016.