SAHIWAL: As three investigations into the deaths of 20 babies at paediatric ward of the Pakpattan DHQ Hospital continue, a letter by Senior Head Nurse Salma Tufail has surfaced online in which she had warned the hospital medical superintendent of impending oxygen shortage and the urgent need to maintain supply records.

The letter — dated first week of June — was circulated on social media. It contradicts the statements of Pakpattan district health authority chief executive officer Dr Sohail who had categorically stated that there was no shortage of oxygen in the pediatric ward during the first three weeks of June.

Dr Sohail told the media that the children had died due to malnutrition and that they were brought to the hospital in critical condition from ‘outside’.

Speaking to Dawn, Deputy Commissioner Maria Tariq questioned the letter’s authenticity, stating, “She (Salma Tufail) submitted that oxygen was available and her letter only requested better documentation”.

The DC confirmed that all relevant records had been confiscated for review. One of the most pressing issues is the reported disappearance of ward-level documents, including the pediatric death register and deceased children’s medication charts. These omissions have prompted earlier internal committees to recommend a “refresher course” on documentation protocols for pediatric staff.

Adding to the complexity, the whereabouts of the hospital’s contracted oxygen supplier remain unknown, raising serious concerns about availability and verification of oxygen inventory during the critical period.

The local administration remained on alert on Thursday amid rumours that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz might visit the hospital to meet the bereaved families and announce financial assistance for them.

On the other hand, Prof Dr Shahid, the head of ICU, Sahiwal Teaching Hospital and head of the high level inquiry, confirmed to Dawn that he had submitted his report to the commissioner but declined to share further details.

There are concerns among the stakeholder who raised the question as to how the inquiries by three separate authorities would be consolidated into a comprehensive and transparent account of the tragedy’s underlying causes.

Meanwhile, acting on directives from the chief secretary, senior divisional and district officials — including Commissioner Sahiwal Dr Asif Tufail, RPO Mahboob Rasheed, Deputy Commissioner Pakpattan Maria Tariq and a provincial government representative — held separate meetings with the grieving parents in Pakpattan city.

Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2025