KARACHI, March 21: An inquiry committee constituted by the Sindh Health Department on Wednesday submitted its reports in the case of a 15-year old epilepsy patient who expired at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) on March 16.
The committee was notified on February 21 on complaints lodged by AKUH administration, comprised Professor Muhammad Abdullah and Professor Khalid Mahmood of the Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) and Dr Zafar Shahid of Lyari General Hospital, and assigned to determine the condition of Aariz Ali Sheikh, the patient.
A source privy to the report said that after going through the report received at the health department on Wednesday, the high-ups had reached the conclusion that the hospital in question be advised to review its style of treating patients and maintain a mild manner with them.
Though government has no authority to directly intervene into the affairs of private hospitals, the provincial health department may recommend to the hospital to review its services and improve relationship with patients, added the source.
The inquiry committee also interviewed two of the junior doctors against whom the parents had a lot of complaints. However, the committee found both doctors in question were not aware of the complaints.
Mr Aariz was admitted to the AKUH Special Care Ward on September 17, 2006 after examinations including an MRI. It was found on admission that the patient had an untreated bacterial infection.
“He was in non-convulsive status epilepticus and he had developed a potentially fatal complication in the form of diabetic ketoacidosis.” The source said the committee found Aariz was also suffering from sick thyroid syndrome, the source added.
The committee’s observation was that the treatment given to the patient at AKUH was quite optimal. —Staff Reporter
