GUJAR KHAN: District Health Authority Rawalpindi has suspended three medical officers posted in Tehsil Headquarters Hospital (THQ) Gujar Khan over ‘misconduct’ after the baby of an admitted pregnant woman reportedly died before delivery on Wednesday.

According to local sources, Ayesha Ali was admitted to the gynae ward of the THQ Hospital in Gujar Khan on September 16 for childbirth, and was referred to another hospital in Rawalpindi on Wednesday morning by on-duty woman medical officer after the health of the baby deteriorated in the mother’s womb, despite the on-call gynaecologist and on-call anaesthetist being available for delivery.

The child was declared dead at a private hospital in Gujar Khan during checkup of the woman before she could be transported to a hospital in Rawalpindi.

According to the incident report compiled by Medical Superintendent of THQ Hospital Gujar Khan, Dr Sarmad Kiyani, Dr Jawaid Iqbal, anaesthetist, and Dr Hira Tanvir, gynaecologist, were on-call but did not join the hospital for operation, adding that the patient was referred to a tertiary care hospital by a woman medical officer, Dr Sehar Iftikhar, on the “written” demand from the attendants.

While talking to Dawn, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the District Health Authority (DHA), Dr Arbab Niazi said immediate action was taken over the “misconduct” of the medical officers after the issue was raised on social media. He maintained that no formal application was submitted from the attendants of the patient over the incident, saying the DHA was investigating the matter on its own.

CEO Niazi stated that Dr Jawaid Iqbal, anaesthetist, Dr Hira Tanvir, gynaecologist, and Dr Sehar Iftikhar (WMO) have been relieved of their responsibilities at THQ Gujar Khan and put under suspension till the finalisation of inquiry/legal process from authorities.

Dr Arbab Niazi also said that a three-member inquiry committee has also been constituted to probe the incident, which would submit its report to the DHA within 24 hours.

Meanwhile, MPA from Gujar Khan Shaukat Aziz Bhatti has also taken notice of the incident and demanded action against the medical staff for negligence. In a statement, he said that he would share the findings of the inquiry with the Punjab chief minister for action.

Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2024