TOBA TEK SINGH: On the direction of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Punjab Health Minister Khwaja Imran Nazir made an emergency visit to Kamalia in connection with the death of seven-year-old Asmara at Kamalia THQ hospital due to an allegedly wrong injection.

Based on preliminary findings, the health minister removed from their offices district health authority CEO Dr Kashif Mehmood Kamboh, Kamalia THQ hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Muhammad Ijaz, and Chief Pharmacist Zaheer Ahmed.

A press release said the minister quoted the CM as expressing deep sorrow over the child’s death, and announced that those responsible would be made an example to prevent such incidents in the future.

He said she ordered an inquiry and directed him to personally oversee the investigation.

Minister Khwaja Imran Nazir reviewed CCTV footage, recorded statements from patients and their attendants and received a detailed briefing from the hospital administration. He also inspected the emergency ward, treatment facilities and medicines availability.

He also visited the aggrieved family and offered condolences. The release added that additionally, a high-level inquiry committee has been formed to submit a comprehensive report, after which strict action will be taken against those found responsible.

The minister also took serious notice of complaints regarding the non-availability of free medicines at the hospital, stating that the Kamalia THQ Hospital is the first government facility where such complaints have emerged.

He announced a full audit of the hospital’s medicines supply and ordered a thorough review of three months’ referral cases and six months’ medicines records to identify any irregularities.

The minister was accompanied by Toba DC Muhammad Naeem Sandhu, Assistant Commissioner Kamalia Iqra Nasir Awan and a seven-member technical team.

They inspected various departments in the hospital and prepared a detailed report on the situation. Issuing a stern warning to the hospital administration, Khwaja Imran Nazir directed that all necessary medical facilities be provided to patients without any negligence. He made it clear that those endangering public health would face severe consequences.

ROBBER KILLED: A robber was killed in an ‘encounter’ with Thikriwala (Faisalabad) police on Wednesday.

Police claimed that two dacoits were looting people and on receiving information, police chased them near Mullanpur Chowk where exchange of fire occurred between them and policemen. When firing stopped police found one of both outlaws injured while his other accomplice had fled.

Police shifted him to Allied hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. He was identified as Allah Ditta of Toba Tek Singh who was wanted in several robberies.

Police claimed he died after receiving bullets fired by his own accomplice.

Published in Dawn, March 13th, 2025