MIANWALI, Aug 2: Police registered a case against two doctors on Thursday for committing negligence into the death of a trader who died at the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital on July 7.

Police registered the case on the complaint of the heirs to the deceased against Mianwali DHQ hospital medical superintendent (MS) Dr Muhammad Farooq Khan and medical officer Zafar Iqbal Khan under section 319 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

The case was registered on the orders of district police officer Malik Abdul Aziz Khan when a delegation of traders and lawyers met him and apprised him about the death of Rustam Khan who died at the hospital after a heart attack. They said the patient could not survive because of non-availability of facilities and negligence of the medical staff. The charges were also confirmed by a fact-finding inquiry team constituted by the district nazim.

According to the enquiry report, Dr Zafar did not attend the patient but referred him to a dispenser, who was absent from duty. After wasting too much time, the patient was shifted to the coronary care unit (CCU).In the CCU, air-conditioner was switched off since its remote control was with the MS.

The ECG machine was also out of order. The inquiry held by the district health officer and another medical officer found the doctors responsible for the death of Rustam Khan.

Also, a delegation of doctors met the district coordination officer demanding a fresh inquiry. The DCO sent the matter to the executive district officer (health) on Wednesday.