Health clinic faces probe over newborn deaths, pay cuts

MIRALI:

Three employees of the Maryam Nawaz Health Clinic in Mirali have been dismissed amid an inquiry into alleged salary deductions, the deaths of five newborns and the provision of substandard medicines at the facility.

The allegations were raised in a complaint filed by local resident Irfan Mahmood Khan with the District Health Authority Vehari against health manager Dr Sobia Iqbal.

According to the complaint, Lady Health Visitors Kainat, Rabia Zahoor and Farwa Raza, along with dispenser Muhammad Shahid, were allegedly paid Rs30,000 a month instead of Rs43,000.

Watchman Sahib Yar and naib qasid Muhammad Ilyas were allegedly paid Rs25,000 instead of Rs40,000. The complainant claimed that the deductions had continued since May 2025.

He further alleged that employees were sometimes pressured to transfer money online account belonging to Muhammad Iqbal, identified as the health manager's father, after receiving their salaries digitally.

The complaint also accused him of interfering in the clinic's administration and mistreating patients, despite having no official role at the facility.

The complainant alleged that employees were pressured to sign the salary register and provide thumb impressions on October 5 without the amounts being recorded.

He said complaints had previously been submitted to the district health authority and other officials.

Separately, reports that five newborns died during or shortly after 16 normal deliveries at the clinic in September 2026 have raised concerns.

Allegations were also made that normal deliveries were prioritised despite complications because the facility received payments for them.

The circumstances surrounding the deaths have yet to be independently established.

On October 3, Chief Executive Officer of the District Health Authority Vehari Dr Fahad Waheed, District Coordinator for the Integrated Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child Health programme Dr Syed Ali Raza and Deputy District Health Officer Dr Dur Zainab visited the clinic to conduct an inquiry.