Committee formed to probe minor burn victim’s death

Initial investigations refute allegations of negligence by doctors

RAWALPINDI: A three-member inquiry committee has been formed to investigate the death of a minor, Meerab, at the burns unit of the Holy Family Hospital (HFH) in Rawalpindi.

The committee is headed by the additional medical superintendent (MS) administration and comprises heads of the Pediatric and Burns Unit. They are expected to submit their report to the Medical Superintendent (MS) of the hospital.

Earlier, an initial inquiry conducted by the hospital’s administration refuted allegations of negligence on part of the doctors and denied claims that an incorrect injection had been administered to the victim which led to his death.

The report said that the minor’s death occurred because 18 per cent of his body had been burnt. A resulting infection had then spread all over his body. As Meerab’s condition worsened, he was shifted to a ventilator to stop the infection from spreading any further.

The family of the deceased, though, claimed that the doctors had administered an incorrect injection to the victim which caused red-colored spots to cover his entire body and resembled bruises.

Further, they claimed that water poured down the body from over the head had traveled down to his lungs and caused his death by drowning.

HFH Medical Superintendent Dr Nasir Mehmood, though, denied that water had been poured over the victim’s body from his head and maintained that the victim died due to the spread of an infection in his body.

However, he promised that a detailed inquiry will probe the root cause of death and determine whether there was any negligence.

Health minister visits BBH

Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid has said that their government was making serious efforts to improve the level treatment and services at local hospitals across the province.

Speaking to the media while conducting a surprise visit of the Benazir Bhutto General Hospital (BBH), she said that the condition of local hospitals’ in the country was gradually improving.

She added that all those patients who turn to government-run hospitals deserve exceptional healthcare facilities.

As soon as BBGH Medical Superintendent (MS) Dr Rafiq Ahmed heard about Dr Rashid’s visit, he rushed to the hospital.

During her visit, the health minister inspected different wards at the hospital and personally inquired after patients and checked their treatment charts and treatment history. She interacted with doctors to check the treatment they were providing to patients.

Dr Rashid expressed satisfaction with the cleanliness at the hospital and other healthcare facilities being provided to patients and directed the MS to maintain these standards in the future as well.

The minister said that doctors, performing duties, especially during the Eid holidays, should strive to provide the best possible treatment to patients.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10^th, 2019.