Pregnant woman, newborn die at JPMC amid 'negligence'

Three-member probe formed as hospital denies no wrongdoing pending inquiry

KARACHI:

A pregnant woman and her newborn allegedly died due to negligence and unavailability of a bed at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) during childbirth, prompting the hospital administration to form a three-member inquiry committee to determine those responsible.

According to JPMC, the woman had initially been admitted to the Gynaecology Ward but was later shifted to the Gastroenterology Ward after developing gastrointestinal complications. When her condition deteriorated, doctors at the Gastroenterology Ward contacted the Gynaecology Ward 9-A, officials said. Doctors at the Gastroenterology Ward alleged that a bed was available in the Gynaecology Ward but was not provided to the patient, forcing her to deliver the baby in the Gastroenterology Ward. Both the woman and her newborn died during childbirth, according to the hospital administration.

Following the incident, the JPMC administration constituted an inquiry committee headed by the joint executive director to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Professor Abdul Rab of the Department of Medicine will serve as the committee's chairman, while Deputy Executive Director Dr Yahya Khan Tunio and Dr Shazia Naseeb of the Gynaecology Department will be its members.

Joint Executive Director Dr Salman said the committee had been formed to investigate the incident and determine responsibility. He said action would be taken against anyone found guilty of negligence or dereliction of duty. According to the hospital administration, the committee will examine all aspects of the incident before submitting its findings.