Student's death sparks probe into IUB canteen

Body questions admin over soft drink sale, alleged lack of medical facilities

BAHAWALPUR:

A high-level inquiry committee constituted by the Higher Education Department (HED) has visited the Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB) to investigate the death of a student who allegedly fell ill after consuming a soft drink purchased from the university canteen.

The committee conducted an inquiry into the death of 22-year-old BBA student Tanzil Musa, who died earlier this month under circumstances that prompted questions about the availability of soft drinks on campus and the university's emergency medical response system.

According to university sources, members of the inquiry committee questioned the university administration and the canteen contractor about the sale of soft drinks on campus despite restrictions on their sale in educational institutions.

Sources said the canteen owner acknowledged selling the soft drink and informed the committee that the student had consumed a bottled beverage that had also been purchased by several other students without any reported adverse effects.

During the inquiry, the committee was also informed that the oxygen cylinder available for emergency medical assistance was reportedly empty at the time of the incident, preventing the student from receiving immediate oxygen support before rescue personnel arrived.

Sources further claimed that the university ambulance allegedly did not have sufficient fuel, resulting in delays in shifting the student to the Bahawal Victoria Hospital (BVH) for emergency treatment. The inquiry committee also reviewed the university's medical facilities and emergency response arrangements.

Sources said concerns were raised regarding the availability of emergency equipment and the handling of medical emergencies on campus.

It was further claimed during the proceedings that this was the third such incident involving a student death under similar circumstances, though the matter is yet to be officially verified. University spokesperson Shehzad Ahmad confirmed that the HED inquiry committee had completed its visit, recorded statements from relevant individuals and reviewed the available medical facilities.

He said the committee's report had not yet been finalised and its findings would be made available after completion of the inquiry process.