KARACHI, Oct 17: A preliminary inquiry conducted by the administration of the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre — in the case involving alleged negligence towards a patient who died last week — has found no lapses on the part of doctors.
According to a press release issued on Friday, the patient, Mr Ashraf, was promptly attended to and clinical investigations too were obtained as soon as possible.
“All relevant investigations were sent promptly and all relevant documentation was also completed despite the fact that the patient was in the ward for less than five hours,” said the hospital.
Terming biased and one-sided the Dawn’s story which appeared on Friday, the press release stated: “...(Mr) Ashraf was admitted on the evening of Oct 10, 2003, with a confirmed diagnosis of Severe Falciparum Malaria. He was deeply jaundiced due to Malarial Hepatitis and had the clinical features of Hepatic Encephalopathy.
“He was promptly attended and the specific drug Artemether was administered soon after arrival in the ward, along with an infusion of 10 per cent dextrose.
“When the patient collapsed, the doctors were in the ward, including the RMO, and instituted prompt resuscitative measures without delay.
“It would be pertinent to mention that throughout this period, eight relatives of the deceased were in the ward and refused to move despite repeated requests by the security guard and the doctors on duty. As soon as the death was declared, these relatives pounced on the duty doctors and assaulted both male and female doctors.
“The doctors managed to save their lives by locking themselves up in a duty room. For over two hours, the relatives indulged in hooliganism despite the presence of the police who took no action.
“The relatives are still in possession of the patient’s file and the names of all the doctors on duty and are threatening them with dire consequences.
“An emergency SOS call was also given to the police on 15 by the doctors on duty at the time of the incident. A preliminary inquiry has been conducted by the higher authorities at JPMC and no lapse in treatment has been observed,” the press release said.