SHCC team investigates medical negligence that cost a teenager his arm

Father alleges Razia Medical Centre administered the wrong injection to his son

KARACHI: A Sindh Health Care Commission (SHCC) team, comprising licensing and accreditation director and inspection deputy director, visited Razia Medical Centre on Tuesday to gather details and investigate the alleged negligence that led to the amputation of a teenager's arm.

Hamza Rehan, 13, was taken to Razia Medical Centre in Bhains Colony, Landhi over a complaint of fever and body pain on June 22. According to the parents, the doctors administered an injection to Hamza after which his right hand started to turn black. The parents later rushed the child to Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital's Trauma Centre where doctors advised that surgery be done immediately to prevent the toxicants from spreading. Seeing no recovery after three minor surgeries, the doctors amputated his arm in the fourth surgical procedure.

According to the initial investigation by the team, Hamza was taken to multiple other clinics five days before being brought to Razia Medical Centre. The black spots on Hamza's hands were already present, which could be a reaction to the injections administered to him at other clinics. SHCC is further investigating the matter and the complete investigation report will be prepared soon.

SHCC Chief Executive Officer Dr Minhaj Qidwai reached Dr Ruth Pfao Civil Hospital to visit Hamza. He was accompanied by the hospital's medical superintendent, Dr Khadim Qureshi. Dr Minhaj urged Hamza's father to follow SHCC's standard operating procedure (SOP) for lodging a complaint and submit a written complaint against the owner of Razia Medical Centre. He added that if the father was not satisfied with the performance of SHCC, the family can also file a complaint against the commission.

Hamza's father, Reham Ahmed, alleges that the centre administered the wrong injection to his son after which his health deteriorated.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 3^rd, 2019.