Newborn’s thumb severed in alleged medical negligence

Incident occurred in presence of complainant’s mother-in-law

MIANWALI:

In an incident of alleged medical negligence at the Mother and Child Hospital in Mianwali, a paramedic severed the thumb of a newborn while attempting to remove a cannula.

The father of the infant, Muhammad Muzammil Sultan, has lodged a First Information Report (FIR) at the local police station in response.

Muzammil, a resident of Thatthi, brought his wife to the Mother and Child Hospital for delivery.

On March 4, after undergoing a caesarean section, the couple welcomed a baby girl, who was subsequently admitted to the hospital's nursery ward. During her stay, hospital staff inserted a cannula into the newborn's left thumb.

On the midnight of March 10, Muhammad Babar, a member of the nursing staff, accidentally severed the entire thumb of the baby girl while attempting to remove the cannula.

The incident occurred in the presence of the complainant's mother-in-law and sister-in-law.

Despite the father managing to retain the severed thumb, he expressed grave concern over the potential disability his daughter may face.

Furthermore, he criticised the lack of response from hospital authorities, alleging that neither the hospital's management nor the Punjab Health Facilities Management Company (PHFMC) had addressed the matter.

Urging action, the father called upon Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Secretary Health, Deputy Commissioner Mianwali, and CEO Health Mianwali to intervene.

He emphasised that an FIR has been filed at the relevant police station and urged the District Police Officer (DPO) Mianwali to expedite the arrest of the absconding suspect.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 12^th, 2024.