A 23-year-old woman and her newborn died during childbirth at a private hospital in Faisalabad on Monday, allegedly due to medical negligence.
The incident sparked a strong protest from relatives outside Allied Hospital, where the bodies were later taken. Police said Sana Atif, a resident of Chak 31-JB, was admitted to a private hospital on Narwala Road for delivery.
Doctors reportedly conducted all preliminary tests and briefed the family before proceeding with surgery. However, during the operation, Sana's health began to deteriorate as her platelet count dropped, white blood cells decreased, and haemoglobin levels fell.
Despite these alarming signs, her condition failed to stabilise.
Hospital doctors advised that Sana be shifted immediately to Allied Hospital but allegedly demanded that the family first clear outstanding dues.
The delay in payment caused further loss of time. While being transferred to Allied Hospital, both Sana and her newborn daughter passed away in the ambulance.
The tragic news prompted dozens of family members to stage a protest outside Allied Hospital, placing the bodies in an ambulance and chanting slogans against the private hospital administration. They demanded strict action against the doctors responsible.
The protest caused a road blockade, forcing senior police officials to intervene.
Police assured the protesters that legal action would be taken, after which the family dispersed and returned to their village with the bodies.
This case adds to a growing list of similar tragedies in Faisalabad this year.
A senior health department official said that at least seven women have died since January during delivery operations at various private hospitals across Faisalabad, including facilities in Batala Colony, Jaranwala, Samundri and Ghulam Muhammadabad.
The official said these cases had been referred to the Punjab Healthcare Commission, which found doctors at fault and forwarded the cases to the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) for disciplinary action. However, no penalties, suspensions, or punishments have been enforced against any hospital or doctor to date.
Relatives of the deceased woman expressed anger over what they described as systemic negligence and a lack of accountability for private healthcare providers.
Police have registered a case and initiated an investigation into the incident. Health authorities have yet to issue a formal statement.
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