Committee questions hospital staff in infant paralysis case

The committee will submit its recommendations to the CM after which legal action will be initiated

KARACHI: The medical investigation team, constituted by the health department on the directives of the chief minister, summoned the administration officials of Darul Sehat Hospital on Tuesday to question them regarding the alleged wrong treatment provided to an infant, which caused her health to deteriorate.

The hospital's director, Dr Shehzad Alam and other staff appeared before the committee, comprising  headed by the of the National Institute for Child Health's Professor Jamal Raza and Dr Nand Lal, to respond to its queries. The staff will appear before the committee again on Thursday after which it will prepare its report and send their recommendations to CM.

Healthcare commission

Separately, the victim, nine-month-old Nishwa's parents have submitted a written request to the Sindh Healthcare Commission on Tuesday to take action against the Darul Sehat Hospital. The letter requests that the hospital be shut down immediately. On the other hand, the Darul Sehat Hospital has given a written application to the Sindh Healthcare Commission again for the renewal of its licence.

The hospital administration's executive, Dr Ali Farhan, said that the hospital had been registered with the Sindh Healthcare Commission and a written application for the renewal of their licence had been submitted.

Commissioner's promise

Karachi Commissioner Iftikhar Ali Shalwani visited the Liaquat National Hospital (LNH), where the child is currently under treatment, on Tuesday where he met Nishwa's parents and assured them legal action would be taken on the basis of the committee's recommendations.



Speaking to the media outside the hospital, Nishwa's father, Qaiser Ali, said that the child's condition was gradually improving. His assertion was seconded by the LNH spokesperson Anjum Rizvi, who explained that the CT scan and other tests had been conducted, which showed a slight decrease in the inflammation in the brain. Once the inflammation subsides completely, it would become clear how much of the brain has been affected, he added.

Suspect remanded

Meanwhile, a local court handed over Moiz, who is accused of administering the wrong dose to the infant, to the police on physical remand till April 20. Sharae Faisal Police presented the accused before the accused.

The IO, Sub-Inspector Saleem, told the court that the accused gave the injection to the little girl, which was exactly opposite what the doctor had instructed. The court handed over the accused Moiz to the police for physical remand. 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 17^th, 2019.