KASUR, Nov 9: A girl died here on Thursday owing to delay in operation at the DHQ hospital when a surgeon allegedly refused to operate upon her and referred the case to his private clinic.

Akbar Ali said he had brought his daughter Sumaira, 18, to emergency ward on Wednesday night in a critical condition. The doctors diagnosed appendicitis and recommended an emergency operation, which was postponed until next day.

On Thursday, he said, the condition of Sumaira deteriorated at 9am. Dr Zulfiqar, who was on duty in the ward, informed surgeon Dr M Akram about the patient, but he did not reach the hospital.

Mr Ali said he contacted the surgeon who insisted to bring the patient to his private clinic along with Rs15,000.

In the meantime, Sumaira died without operation at the hospital.

Kasur DCO Saeed Akhter Ansari has ordered medical superintendent Dr Raza Hashmi to submit a report on the case to him within 24 hours.