CHAKWAL: An inquiry committee has declared two doctors of the DHQ Hospital Chakwal guilty in the death of an eight-year-old boy from snakebite after being ignored by doctors for six hours.

The committee headed by Additional Deputy Commissioner Qadeer Ahmed Bajwa with its two members, Additional Principal Medical Officer Dr Mukhtar Ahmed and DHO Dr Mubashar Hussain, recommended strict legal action against Dr Taimur Azam and Dr Muqaddas Zahra.

According to the committee report (a copy available with Dawn), Mohammad Nabi was brought to the hospital on June 12 after he was bitten by a snake.

“His attendants categorically told the staff on duty that a snake has bitten the boy. The hospital staff, including Dr Azam, suggested some lab tests and documented the snakebite in the patient record.” The condition of the patient remained in between stable and unstable. The lab test was also repeated but it showed no evidence of snake venom.

“At this point, Dr Azam, the medical officer, was supposed to consult his seniors/consultants because the snakebite was evident by history, physical signs and symptoms. He was also required to administer anti-snake venom vaccine which was available in the hospital. Dr Azam neither consulted his seniors nor administered anti-snake venom.”

The report noted that Dr Azam consulted Dr Zahra, the woman medical officer on duty, but she too did not advise him to administer the anti-snake venom to the patient. The committee observed that no professional efforts were made to manage the case as there was no documentation regarding the condition of the patient, finding of examination/remarks and state of vital signs during the stay of the patient at the hospital. It was also observed that SOPs were not followed for the management of the case.

Both the doctors failed to provide appropriate treatment of snakebite as per SOPs, the committee concluded.

“The patient record was poorly maintained. It does not reflect any proper documentation regarding the condition of the patient, finding of examination/remarks and state of vital signs. This is blatant violation of minimum service delivery standards.” The committee noted that Dr Azam misstated the facts when he handed over the case to Dr Usman who joined in the morning shift. It found that the boy died due to snakebite. “Dr Azam and Dr Zahra have been found guilty of gross negligence. They may be proceeded against under PEEDA Act 2006,” it said.

It also issued a warning letter to DMS Dr Javed Iqbal.

Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2019