PESHAWAR: The opposition Qaumi Watan Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz on Monday rejected the report of preliminary inquiry into six Khyber Teaching Hospital deaths due to oxygen shortage and demanded a judicial probe into the incident.

During a demonstration outside the Peshawar Press Club here, PML-N provincial president Amir Muqam said the suspension of some employees was not enough to satisfy the families of the deceased.

He said a judicial inquiry into the incident was required to ensure strict punishment of the culprits.

Mr Muqam said Prime Minister Imran Khan should accept the failure of the healthcare system and step down.

Says PM should admit failure of health system and step down

He said the premier had surrendered government hospitals to his cousin, Nausherwan Burki, who managed their affairs from abroad.

The PML-N leader demanded the registration of an FIR against the prime minister and Nausherwan and dispensation of justice to the families of the deceased.

PML-N provincial general secretary Murtaza Javed Abbasi and provincial spokesman Ikhtiar Wali Khan also addressed protesters.

In a statement, QWP provincial chairman Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao rejected the KTH board of governors inquiry report about deaths due to oxygen shortage and demanded the formation of a judicial commission to probe the incident.

He said the probe report was meant to save the ‘big fish’ and that members of lower staff were made scapegoat for patient deaths.

“The report of the inquiry committee is to fool the people,” he said demanding a judicial inquiry to ensure punishment of the culprits.

He extended condolences to the families of the deceased.

Mr Sikandar said it was the responsibility of the hospital’s administration to ensure the supply of oxygen to patients.

“The BoG cannot absolve itself from the responsibility. It is equally responsible for this tragedy,” he said.

Criticising Prime Minister Imran Khan for ‘incompetence’, the QWP leader said the premier had appointed his ‘blue-eyed’ people to key positions, who didn’t face accountability.

He said the KTH deaths had exposed the tall claims of the ruling PTI about health reforms in the province.

Mr Sikandar said the shortage of oxygen amounted to criminal negligence, which led to the loss of precious lives.

He said the QWP would take to the streets if the government did not take adequate steps to punish those responsible for the death of patients due to shortage of oxygen.

Published in Dawn, December 8th, 2020