DADU, March 25: Notices were served on Tuesday on four doctors calling for the termination of their services on charges of negligence regarding the death of a 10-year-old snakebite victim, Erum.

Notices were issued by the secretary, health, Sindh, Ashiq Hussain Memon.

Baby Erum, daughter of Mohammad Islam Leghari of Johi town, had been brought to the Johi hospital on July 18, 2002, in a serious condition but the doctors of hospital could not provide her with anti-venom vaccine. Later, she was referred to the Civil Hospital, Dadu, on the same day, where she had died on July 21, 2002 because of the apathy of doctors.

Erum’s father had filed a petition in the Sindh High Court, Hyderabad, against the administrations of taluka hospital in Johi and the Civil Hospital, Dadu.

The court had summoned the EDO (health) and was directed to investigate the incident and submit his findings before the court.

The EDO (health), Dr Khadim Hussain Lakhair, after completing the inquiry, had submitted his findings to the SHC.

The inquiry report attributed the death to the apathy of the medical superintendent of the taluka hospital, Johi, Dr Mohammad Hashim Thaheem, senior medical officer, Sikandar Ali Jamali, senior lady medical officer of the Civil Hospital, Dadu, Dr Mehrunnisa Soomro and its medical officer Sikandar Ali Naich.

The SHC, after receiving this report, had directed the secretary, health, Sindh, to take immediate action against the concerned doctors of both the hospitals.