The Punjab government has arrested the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Medical Superintendent (MS) of the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital in Pakpattan after the death of 20 children amid orders issued by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
The chief minister paid an impromptu visit to the hospital and immediately took cognizance of the tragedy. On her orders, police arrested MS Dr Adnan Ghaffar and CEO Health Dr Sohail from the hospital campus.
The two officials were arrested on the charges of alleged negligence and trying to cover up facts about the incident, government sources said. A first information report has also been filed against both officials.
The children died between 16-22 June, and there was an outpouring of outrage. Relatives of the dead children blamed doctors and paramedical staff for negligence and claimed there was a shortage of oxygen cylinders in the hospital.
But earlier accounts made by the Punjab Health Department and Commissioner Sahiwal present a more nuanced picture. Sources say 15 of the dead children had been born in private hospitals and taken to the government hospital in critical condition, and five were due to botched deliveries by untrained midwives.
Officials said the children’s mothers were not brought along during transfer to the DHQ, further complicating treatment. The reports confirm that three private hospitals have been sealed as part of the ongoing investigation.
Contrary to earlier claims, investigators found no evidence of oxygen shortage. Sources said the DHQ had 45 oxygen cylinders available, and a clinical audit of each child’s arrival and treatment timeline was conducted.
The Punjab government spokesperson said that the MS and others tried to conceal the actual reason behind the incident, which called for strong action.
Chief Minister Maryam has promised that all those responsible wills be held accountable to the fullest and said negligence, particularly in healthcare, would be unacceptable.
