Hindered treatment: Inquiry ordered into patient’s death

Doctors were reportedly not present at Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Sadiqabad

BAHAWALPUR: An inquiry has been ordered into the death of a resident of Ahmedpur Lamha in Rahim Yar Khan, who died reportedly due to the unavailability of doctors at Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Sadiqabad.

While speaking at a video link conference on Sunday, Punjab Minister for Primary and Secondary Health Khawaja Imran Nazir said the chief minister has directed Rahim Yar Khan DCO Jameed Ahmad Jameel to conduct a transparent inquiry into the matter and punish the culprits.

Ramjee’s brother Kamran Ram was also present at the conference.

The DCO said as soon as he got to know about the incident, he sent the assistant commissioner of Sadiqabad and executive district officer of health to Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Sadiqabad to ascertain facts.

The DCO maintained he visited the hospital a few days ago and pointed out negligence on the service and administrative levels. He termed the performance of medical superintendent ‘unsatisfactory’.

The team will be sent by Bahawalpur Health Director Shahid Saleem and the report will be released by December 13.

Ramjee felt unwell on the night of December 9.

His family members said they called the ambulance but it did not arrive in time. When they went to the hospital no doctors were present.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 12^th, 2016.