Inquiry committee formed to probe death of HFH patient

Family claims patient died due to alleged negligence by doctors

RAWALPINDI: Five days after her death, an inquiry committee has been formed to probe the death of a female patient at the Holy Family Hospital (HFH) recently. The family of the patient alleges she died due to doctors' negligence.

The inquiry committee is expected to present its report to the relevant authority. The police have also registered a case against the hospital's administration while the doctors have lodged a complaint as well.

Adil Hussain had told the Rawalpindi police that his relative, Saima, was admitted in the hospital in a serious condition. Last week, when they went to visit her along with other members of their family, their relative Azra requested the duty doctor, Dr Junaid, to take better care of Saima. At this, Dr Junaid allegedly misbehaved with Azra.

This prompted the family to intervene and soon the family and the doctor were embroiled in a scuffle.

Before matters could get out of hand, a lady deputy medical superintendent (DMS) arrived on the scene. In a bid to resolve the situation, she asked two members of the family to come inside a room to talk things out.

Hussain and his cousin Majid had barely stepped into the room when they were allegedly shoved inside and the door was locked behind them.

Hussain claimed that they were then set upon by 30-35 staff members and beaten to the point that one of them lost consciousness. Hussain added that three policemen apparently tried to save them, but they too, were beaten and one of the policemen had a torn shirt.

Dr Junaid then allegedly snatched Majid's cellphone which had recorded the incident. Amid the commotion, Saima passed away.

The police subsequently registered a case, stating that Saima's death will be probed.

Meanwhile, the hospital had enhanced security and put up a new rule which limited the number of attendants allowed with a patient to one.