KARACHI, Feb 15: Appearing not satisfied with the overall treatment given to their young ward, an epilepsy patient at a private hospital, his guardians on Thursday demanded a high-level investigation into the matter.At a press conference, the mother of Aariz Ali Shaikh, along with other close relatives, claimed that the Aga Khan University Hospital so badly treated her 15-year-old only son during the last about 150 days that he had become a complicated medical case.

In the meantime, the AKUH management has clarified that apprehensions and allegations by Aariz’s family were misplaced. The hospital staff at all levels were well aware of their ethical and social obligations and were providing safe and effective care to the patient.

At a hurriedly called press conference at the Karachi Press Club, the upset mother, Nighat Khurshid, said that Mr Aariz was admitted for a three-day special process, including digital MRI and seizure protocol, on September 17, 2006 for the treatment of epilepsy. However, on the very first day of his admission, at the AKUH her son developed medical disorders in the special ward, including rise of sugar level in blood, high blood pressure and high pulse rate touching 160 to 170, she said and counted many other adverse developments in the following days, which, according to her, were due to neglect or ineptness of the medical staff, including doctors.