KARACHI, Feb 20: The mother of a 15-year old epilepsy patient who is reported to be in critical condition at a private hospital has urged human right bodies and influential quarters to stand with her to see her ailing ward.

The parents on Tuesday maintained that they were not allowed to see their son in the ICU of the hospital. According to the mother, she had not seen her ailing child in seven days and appealed to human right bodies and those at the helm of affairs to help then get justice and ensure early recovery of Aariz’. On the other hand, AKUH personnel said a counselling session with the family was attempted on Tuesday but with no success. However, the parents were welcome to see Aariz, who the hospital said, continued to get compassionate and safe care on the 157th day in the ICU.

Dr Mairaj Shah, Manager Clinical Affairs at AKUH, told Dawn the parents were never stopped from entering the ICU and on Tuesday too they were treated very politely by the staff concerned.

He said the hospital management had even agreed to a session with the family members outside the ICU. It was agreed between the family and the AKUH staff that first the parents and an uncle who is a doctor may visit Aariz, in ICU and then sit together with senior hospital personnel. He claimed the family did not turn up and left of their own will.

He maintained that in view of the family’s attitude, the hospital had decided that only the parents of the patient would be allowed to see him and inquire about his health and treatment from the doctors in ICU.

Sources in the provincial health department said the medical superintendent of Sindh Services Hospital had been asked by the provincial health secretary to constitute a medical cum enquiry board to look into the matter.

The health secretary also advised the EDO Health of the city government to visit the hospital and assess the situation.