Alleged negligence : Father accuses doctor of killing son

Says boy was operated and left unconscious, doctors escaped.

LAKKI MARWAT: The family of a 10-year-old boy, who died during surgery at a private hospital in Lakki Marwat, protested outside the hospital and alleged the death had been caused by medical negligence.

Jalil Khan, a resident of Wanda Aurangzeb village, told The Express Tribune his son, Abidullah Khan, was suffering from fever and was taken to a private facility in the district on Wednesday.



“Dr Abdul Waheed Zakori had suggested that an ultrasound should be conducted,” he said. “Although Dr Muhammad Iqbal – who conducted the ultrasound – said Abidullah was suffering from appendicitis. After a few hours in the operation theatre, Zakori said the operation was successful and the boy would be conscious soon.”

Abidullah was kept in the operation theatre.

“But even after six hours my son remained unconscious,” Jalil said. “I eventually went inside without permission and found him dead. When I tried to find the doctor, I was told he had escaped.”

Later in the day, the minor’s family protested outside the facility and urged the relevant authorities to take the culprits to task.

Lakki Marwat SHO Arshidullah Khan and other police officials arrived at the scene and assured protesters that action would be taken against the doctor. A case was registered against Zakori.

According to locals, there have been a number of cases of medical negligence in the past.

“Many patients have died due to the negligence of doctors,” a resident told The Express Tribune. “More often than not, deaths have been caused by improper doses of anaesthesia given to patients.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 14^th, 2015.