Patient’s death prompts coordination among hospitals

Authorities form WhatsApp group after PML-N worker's death amid unavailability of ventilator

RAWALPINDI:

Following the death of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) worker Anjum Iqbal Mughal, who reportedly lost his life due to the unavailability of a ventilator at Holy Family Hospital and lack of timely coordination with Benazir Bhutto General Hospital, authorities have set up a WhatsApp coordination group among the three major hospitals to prevent such negligence in the future. 
A park in Khayaban-e-Sir Syed has also been named after the late worker.

According to sources, senior Pakistan Muslim League-N worker Anjum Iqbal Mughal was brought to Holy Family Hospital in critical condition at around 8am on Feb 23 last month. Although his treatment was started, no ventilator was available at the hospital despite urgent need, and timely coordination was not made with Benazir Bhutto General Hospital regarding ventilator availability. 

When the patient was shifted to Benazir Bhutto General Hospital at around 5pm, he died during transfer to the ventilator.

An inquiry committee constituted by Holy Family Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Ijaz Butt confirmed that negligence occurred in coordination regarding ventilator availability at Benazir Bhutto General Hospital. Following the findings, a WhatsApp coordination group comprising focal persons from the three hospitals has been formed.

The group will ensure hourly coordination regarding ICU patients so that, if required, timely arrangements can be made with other hospitals for critically ill patients brought to any facility.

Meanwhile, on the directions of Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, the Rawalpindi Parks and Horticulture Authority renovated a local park in Union Council 11 and named it after the late Anjum Iqbal Mughal. Managing Director Parks and Horticulture Authority Ahmed Hassan Ranjha told The Express that funds had been released by the federal minister for renovation and upgradation of parks in the city, and the park in Khayaban-e-Sir Syed Union Council 11 was being renovated.

The park has been named after Anjum Iqbal Mughal, and formal approval will be obtained from the board of directors. After completion of renovation, a signboard bearing his name will be installed at the entrance.

AMC gets stroke, chest pain unit

On the other hand, a modern Stroke and Acute Chest Pain Unit has been established at Ayub Medical Complex to provide immediate treatment to patients suffering from stroke and heart attacks.

The emergency department has also been provided with TPA injections for stroke patients.

A six-bed state-of-the-art Stroke and Acute Chest Pain Unit has been set up in the emergency department of Ayub Medical Complex. The unit is equipped with advanced monitors and other medical facilities. It will play an important role in providing immediate and effective medical assistance to patients and will also prove to be a major facility for patients across Hazara Division.

Hospital Director Dr Sajjad Ahmed Afridi said that the TPA injection is extremely important for the immediate and effective treatment of stroke patients.

The injection is administered within a few hours after a stroke occurs and, if used in time, can prove highly effective in saving a patient’s life and reducing the risk of disability.
Despite being expensive, timely availability of the injection for patients in Hazara is equivalent to saving lives, he added.