Death in the crib

What happened at Sargodha nursery is a tragedy we must get to the bottom of, so that we can prevent others like it

The persons who came to the Sargodha District Headquarters Hospital for the delivery of their babies did so because they wished to ensure maximum safety and sound medical care, something denied to most mothers in the country when they give birth. The Sargodha hospital also caters to needs from all around the region, as it is the only facility serving Sargodha, Khushab, Bhakkar, Mianwali and other areas, with a nursery to cater to the needs of newborns. But this nursery, which should have been a place where new life is welcomed into the world, instead has turned into a place of death. Eight newborns placed in it died on November 19, another four on November 20, and three on November 21. Grief-stricken parents are blaming a malfunctioning oxygen supply system and also negligence on the part of doctors. Certainly, after the first round of tragedy, the eight deaths should have been inquired into to prevent the ones that took place later. Senior health officials are denying a problem with the oxygen supply, and an inquiry report has already been submitted to the Punjab chief minister. We hope this report can provide some answers.

Answers, of course, are badly needed. We must be told what happened and any negligence duly punished. Loss of life cannot be treated so casually. The reality though is that this often happens at our government hospitals. The lives of the poor, who must depend on these facilities, seem to matter little. What happened at Sargodha must move us to alter this. We hope consciences have been pricked, hearts moved. What happened at that nursery is a tragedy we must get to the bottom of, so that we can prevent others like it. To succeed in this, we must also take steps to ensure more accountability at all government hospitals so people are able to receive the care that they need. Reports of negligence have come in before from these centres; they must not be ignored. The 15 deaths at Sargodha are a reminder that we must not take such tragedies lightly.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 22^nd, 2014.

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