Medical staff absent: Alleged negligence kills mother, two newborns

Relatives say she was unattended in labour for over an hour.

LAKKI MARWAT: A mother and her two newborn babies died due to absence of medical staff in a labour room at Government City Hospital on Wednesday.

Haji Javaid Ahmad Khan and Mufti Matiullah, relatives of the deceased woman, told The Express Tribune that around 5am they took her to the hospital as she was in labour.

They said that there were no medical staff present on duty. She was in severe pain and remained unattended for more than an hour. Her relatives said that the woman died along with her two newborn babies. The family demanded authorities to take action against hospital staff. They said that they would stage protests outside the hospital if no action was take against those responsible.

Medical Superintendent Dr Ghulam Ali said that an inquiry would be conducted into the matter. Dr Ali said the nurse who was absent from duty at the time would be questioned and suspended if necessary.

He said that the patient was in a critical condition when she had been brought to the hospital. He confirmed that she died before 5:30am, which was when senior medical officer Dr Ismail Iqbal went to her room do conduct a check-up.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 30^th, 2012.