Families protest death of three newborns

Family protests against hospital administration for negligence

FAISALABAD: Parents and 100 relatives of three infants who died at Jhang district headquarters hospital on Wednesday protested against the hospital administration on Thursday.

According to details, Maryam Bibi, a resident of Jhang, had given birth to twins, Sikandar and Mushtaq, on Monday night. The children died at the hospital on Wednesday.

Sana Bibi gave birth to a girl on Tuesday who also died at the hospital.

Rehana Bibi, a resident of Shorkot, gave birth to a boy, Muzammil. Her family told newsmen that the child was also in a serious condition.

Their families protested against the hospital administration for not providing ventilators to save their lives.

They chanted slogans against the hospital administration and accused of negligence.

They demanded an inquiry into the state of the affairs at the hospital, saying all those who had been responsible for the death of their children should be taken to task.

Muhammad Amjad, a relative of Maryam Bibi, told newsmen that when one of the twins deteriorated, the doctors told them that the child needed a ventilator which was not available at the hospital.

He said later, the other twin also developed respiratory problems and both infants died soon after.

DHQ Hospital Medical Superintendent (MS) Mumtaz Sial told newsmen that the hospital did not have ventilators. He further said there was a shortage of doctors at the hospital.

He said, “We have already moved the Health Department to release funds so that we could purchase ventilators and other necessary machines for the hospital.” He said the request was still pending at the Health Department headquarters in Lahore.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 3^rd, 2014.