Maternity homes sealed after 20 newborns died in Pakpattan

Pakpattan: Following the tragic death of 20 newborns at the District Headquarters Hospital in Pakpattan, the district administration swung into action, sealing several illegal and unregistered maternity homes, while a high-level committee has been formed to investigate the matter.

According to a media report, Deputy Director of Health Dr Ahmed Salman sealed several illegal maternity homes in and around Pakpattan city, which were not registered with the Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC).

Operation theatres of four private hospitals were also closed, following the deaths of 20 children who were brought to the District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ) Pakpattan in a critical condition.

The private maternity homes that were sealed include Maternity Home (22/SP, Pul Bahmani), Al-Freed Medicare Hospital (DHQ Road), Bashir Maternity Home (Metty Stop, Hota Road), Dastgir Hospital (Chowk Aryan), and Imran Maternity Home (Sikander Chowk).

These centers were run by Sajida Sabir, Muhammad Parvez, Sitara (LHV), and Muhammad Imran, among others.

Deputy Commissioner Maria Tariq stated that the operation theatres of Dr Hospital, Green Town, Shahid Hospital, Ali Hospital, and MMC Hospital on DHQ Hospital Road have also been sealed.

On the other hand, Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman said that there is no direct link between the lack of facilities at District Headquarters Hospital Pakpattan and the deaths of 20 children, as these children were already brought to the hospital in a critical condition.

He said during an emergency visit to the DHQ Hospital Pakpattan on Monday that they are deeply professionally reviewing all aspects.

He stated that the visit was made against the backdrop of the deaths in the children’s ward between June 16 and 22.

Talking to the media, the Chief Secretary said that a five-member investigation committee has been formed, consisting of senior medical professionals, and it will submit its report in two to three days.

He added that he has directed the Commissioner and the committee to personally meet the affected families, listen to their concerns, and officially record their statements.

Zahid Akhtar Zaman further said that the Chief Minister is keeping a close eye on the situation, and it was following her instructions that she came to Pakpattan herself, hinting that the Chief Minister herself may also go to Pakpattan to meet the affected families.

During the visit to the hospital, the Chief Secretary inspected various departments, including the children’s ward, and reviewed the availability of medical facilities and staff. He directly spoke to several parents and assured them that all the basic issues of the hospital would be resolved soon.

Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Maria Tariq had rejected the report of a three-member internal committee formed by DHQ Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Adnan, headed by Dr Mudassar (Chief Consultant Pediatrics, DHQ).

The report exonerated the pediatric staff from responsibility and only recommended refresher courses on documentation. The death register of the children’s ward also allegedly went missing during the preparation of the report, which is raising serious concerns.

Later, Commissioner Dr Asif Tufail directed the Principal of Sahiwal Medical College to constitute an external inquiry committee, which will be headed by Dr Muhammad Shahid (Associate Professor and ICU Incharge), while Dr Muhammad Rizwan Ishaq (Head of Medical Unit 2, SMC) will also be involved.

At the end of his visit, Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman also visited the shrine of Baba Farid and reviewed the preparations for the 783rd annual Urs, accompanied by Commissioner Dr Asif Tufail, RPO Mehboob Rashid, and other officers.