‘Hospital not responsible for newborn’s death’

Inquiry committee finds medical staff innocent in baby girl’s death

DERA GHAZI KHAN: An inquiry committee, formed after the body of a newborn was discovered in a garbage heap outside of Teaching Hospital, Dera Ghazi Khan, has found the medical staff to be innocent.

A few days ago, the body of a newborn girl was discovered in a garbage heap near the gynae ward of the Teaching Hospital Dera Ghazi Khan. The newborn was being carried away by dogs when locals spotted it.

When citizens inspected the baby, they saw that it had been mauled by stray dogs and that the surgical clamp was still attached to the umbilical cord.

In the wake of the incident, citizens protested and demanded action be initiated against illegal clinics.

An inquiry committee was formed on the directives of Teaching Hospital MS Dr Shahid Saleem to investigate the incident.

The two-member committee, consisting of Deputy MS Dr Khalid Tehseen and Deputy MS Gynae Ward Dr Akhtar, found the hospital staff to be innocent.

According to the hospital, four children were birthed at the hospital between July 10 and July 11. However, all the births were premature and the children could not survive. The bodies were handed over to the families, who had buried the children.

On the other hand, the newborn girl discovered in the garbage was birthed at 36 weeks and did not die during the birthing process.

The body was handed over to Civil Lines police for burial and investigations. Citizens expressed their concern over the incident and demanded officials apprehend the suspects involved in the incident.

Previously, reports of women giving birth in corridors and on hospital grounds, due to the misconduct and negligence of the staff, were rampant.

Incidents similar to this have started rising in the area. Citizens claim that a handful of lady health workers and quacks are conducting under-the-table abortions and deliveries.

They toss the infant into the trash whether it is dead or alive, they added.

A few months prior to this incident, a newborn was found alive in a sewerage drain in the area. The child was adopted by a local.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 16^th, 2019.