Woman dies, as hospital employees forget to turn on oxygen supply

KARACHI:

A woman died allegedly due to the negligence of doctors and the paramedical staff at a private hospital in North Nazimabad while the condition of several other patients deteriorated when the facility’s staff forgot to open the oxygen supply valve.

Police are waiting for the heirs to file a criminal case against the hospital where they also found bottles of liquor and barbeque leftovers during search of rooms after the incident.

Heirs said that Nasira Zahid was admitted to the Ansari Hospital a few days ago due to a chest infection. When her condition deteriorated, doctors shifted her to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). In the early hours of Friday, the hospital staff forgot to open the oxygen supply valve for the patients in the ICU ward, due to which Nasira Zahid died, they said.

Nasira’s son, Wajahat told The Express Tribune that the condition of three children, a woman and an elderly man admitted in the ICU also deteriorated. As soon as the report was received, a large number of relatives of the patients reached the hospital and reprimanded the hospital staff over their negligence.

However, he said that the staff started torturing them. Wajahat said he was injured due to the violence of the hospital staff and he also got stitches on his hand.

The errant hospital staff escaped while the enraged heirs ransacked the building. Upon receiving report of a riot, a heavy contingent of police from the Taimooria Police Station rushed to the spot and searched other rooms of the hospital and also found bottles of liquor. Apparently, the staff was enjoying a tikka party with liquor and forgot all about their duties.

Nasira was buried in Korangi Cemetery No1 after the funeral prayers. Wajahat appealed to the police authorities to take action against the hospital staff and punish them.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 25^th, 2021.