Missing newborn 'found' - it was never born

Police say woman had claimed to be pregnant due to social and family pressure

KARACHI:

The mystery surrounding the alleged disappearance of a newborn during a delivery procedure at a private hospital in Nazimabad has been resolved, with a medical examination finding that the woman was not pregnant. The inquiry also revealed serious negligence on the part of the doctors and hospital staff.

According to a statement issued by SSP District Central Dr Imran Khan, significant progress has been made in the investigation into the alleged pregnancy of a woman at a private hospital in Nazimabad No. 3.

The medical examination and medico-legal officer (MLO) report conducted after the incident found no evidence that the woman was pregnant.

The woman, identified as Zobia, wife of Rashid, was initially brought to the hospital for delivery. However, during the procedure, hospital staff discovered that she was not pregnant. The development triggered protests and vandalism by her family members at the hospital, following which police reached the scene.

According to the investigation, the woman had claimed to be pregnant due to social and family pressure. Police said hospital staff also committed serious negligence by failing to conduct a proper medical examination before shifting her to the operating theatre.

Instead, the staff only examined an ultrasound report available on the woman's mobile phone. The report was subsequently found to be suspicious and unauthenticated during the investigation, highlighting negligence on the part of the hospital staff.

Following the incident, police arranged a medical examination of Zobia. The resulting medical report also found no evidence of pregnancy.

According to the police spokesperson, Zobia's husband, Rashid, had submitted an application at the Nazimabad police station seeking legal action against the hospital staff, and the police had received the complaint.

SSP District Central Dr Imran Khan took notice of the alleged disappearance of the newborn during the delivery procedure and ordered a comprehensive investigation into all aspects of the incident. A five-member investigation team, headed by SDPO Gulberg Division Manisha Rupeta, was also constituted.

Police said further action would be taken against those found responsible in accordance with the law after the final report of the medical commission is received and responsibility is determined.

Police have also incorporated all available evidence, medical reports, CCTV footage and other relevant records into the investigation.

According to information provided by the woman for the medical report, this was reportedly her second pregnancy, while her first pregnancy had ended in miscarriage.

The hospital administration said all relevant medical records had been handed over to the medical board formed to investigate the matter, while CCTV footage from the hospital had also been provided to the investigating authorities.