BAHAWALNAGAR: Two in-charge nurses and entire staff of the the DHQ hospital’s gynaecology ward have been removed under the PEEDA Act, 2006 after an inquiry report declared them guilty of negligence in the death of a “baby in her mother’s womb”.

The deputy commissioner ordered their removal after he formed a committee on Feb 3 to inquire into the allegation of negligence of the nurses and other staff. Zainab Bibi and her family protested against alleged negligence of the staffers which led to her baby’s death.

According to a letter issued by DHQ Medical Superintendent Dr Jameel Ahmad, the baby died before birth due to “the rupture of the womb” because of the criminal negligence of the nursing staff. Furthermore, it also jeopardised mother’s life and she had to undergo life-saving surgery.

The letter said bribery was also found at the Gynae Ward by the nursing staff. In-Charge nurses Mst Tahira Perveen and Mst Mehvish (both in BS-16) were found guilty of corruption, misconduct, and inefficiency in the light of the inquiry report. Both had been suspended on the recommendation of the inquiry committee, says the letter.

It further said the entire staff of the ward except doctors have been replaced on an immediate basis.

MS Dr Jameel Shah told Dawn that the duties of almost 55 staffers of the DHQ hospital had been changed on the directions of the deputy commissioner. He said consultants of the ward had been directed to ensure implementation of the SOPs and action against delinquents in case of non-compliance.

ACCIDENT CASE: The family of a rickshaw driver who was killed after being hit by a car driven by the Minchinabad THQ hospital medical superintendent has demanded immediate arrest of the doctor.

According to the family, Abdul Khaliq of Rojhanwali village was sitting in his rickshaw parked near Karmanwala filling station on Minchinabad Road on March 11 when Dr Waheed Afsar Bajwa, who was driving his car under the influence, his the rickshaw resulting in death of Abdul Khaliq.

The B-Division police registered a case against Dr Bajwa under sections 279, 337 and 427 of PPC on the complaint of victim’s brother Talib Hussain on Saturday. The accident happened because the MS was drunk while driving, the FIR said.

SHO Mehar Abdul Jabbar said Dr Bajwa was not arrested because he also suffered injuries during the accident and was being treated at the Bahawal Victoria Hospital.

Published in Dawn, March 14th, 2022