CHARSADDA: Death of a man at the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital, Tangi, on Tuesday sparked protest by relatives and other people, who blamed it on doctors’ negligence.

The protesters alleged surgeon Dr Makeel Shah operated Umar Khan, a resident of Gul Bagh and a mechanic by profession, to remove gall bladder stones. They said during surgery his condition deteriorated, and he was referred to Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, where he was kept in ICU but later died.

Meanwhile, according to a notification issued from the office of secretary health Adeel Shah, a two-member committee had been formed to inquire into the death, and submit report within three days.

The protesters, who gathered outside the hospital, demanded registration of FIR against the surgeon, and departmental action against him.

Relatives allege doctors’ negligence; probe body formed

Addressing the protesters at the Tangi Chowk and later at a press conference, Qaumi Watan Party’s Tangi general secretary Musa Khan, village nazim Faizul Amin, JUI-F’s Qari Fazal Maula and others said the doctor should be punished and the deceased family be compensated.

They alleged that doctors in Tangi hospital didn’t pay attention to patients, and focused on their private clinics.

When contacted, Dr Makaeel told Dawn that he operated the patient on his father’s request. He said the gall bladder stones were removed successfully. He said the patient had some prior cardiac problems, which he hid during the interrogation process. He said then he called a cardiologist, who applied a stent to him and he recovered. But his condition deteriorated and he was referred to LRH Peshawar, the doctor said.

KILLED: Five people were killed in separate incidents in the district.

The police said rivals allegedly killed two persons over an old enmity in Shabqaddar tehsil.

The police identified the deceased as Ishrat Hussain and his friend, Rafatullah of Malaguri area.

The police registered a case against the accused, Hidayat and Akbar Ali, on the complaint of Irshad Hussain, son of Ishrat.

In the second incident, a man was killed by unknown assailants in Khat Kallay Harichand area in the limits of Mandani police station.

The police registered an FIR against unknown killers on the complaint of the widow of the deceased, Zahoor.

Meanwhile, a young girl ended her life by jumping into a river in Sarikh area.

A young man was killed when his motorcycle crashed against a stationary pick-up truck. The deceased was identified as Hasnain Ahmad, 23, an Afghan national.

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2024