PAKPATTAN – In a shocking development, the Medical Superintendent (MS) and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital in Pakpattan were arrested on Saturday following the deaths of 20 children at the facility. The arrest was ordered directly by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, who made a surprise visit to the hospital and took immediate notice of the tragic situation.
The two officials — MS Dr Adnan Ghafar and CEO Health Dr Sohail — were taken into custody by police from the hospital premises. According to government sources, both were arrested on charges of criminal negligence and for allegedly attempting to conceal the facts surrounding the deaths.
The tragedy, which unfolded between June 16 and June 22, sparked public outrage, particularly among the families of the deceased. Relatives of the victims blamed hospital staff for gross negligence and claimed that an acute shortage of oxygen cylinders contributed to the deaths. However, further investigation has revealed a more nuanced and complex series of events.
Preliminary inquiry reports from the Punjab Health Department and the Commissioner of Sahiwal Division have indicated that the majority of the children — 15 in total — were not born in the DHQ but were instead delivered at various private hospitals. These infants were later transferred to the DHQ hospital in already critical condition. The remaining five deaths were reportedly the result of complications arising from mishandled deliveries carried out by untrained midwives, rather than the government hospital’s staff.
Officials further noted that, in many cases, the mothers of the infants were not brought along during the transfer of the newborns, a factor that significantly hampered emergency treatment. Without the mothers present, the hospital staff faced challenges in making informed medical decisions and in initiating appropriate interventions in a timely manner.
In response to the findings, three private hospitals in the area have been sealed, and further action against unqualified midwives is reportedly underway. The investigation also included a clinical audit that examined the timeline of each child’s arrival and treatment at the DHQ hospital.
Interestingly, initial claims regarding an oxygen shortage at the hospital were proven to be inaccurate. According to official sources, the facility had a stock of at least 45 oxygen cylinders at the time, and no evidence of oxygen unavailability was found during the audit. This revelation raised further questions about the accuracy of the information provided by the arrested officials and intensified scrutiny of their actions during and after the tragic incidents.
The Punjab government’s spokesperson stated that the arrested officials were allegedly involved in trying to manipulate or suppress the true cause of the deaths, which further justified their arrest. Attempts to mislead investigators and hide critical information about the chain of events were considered severe breaches of duty.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed her deep concern over the loss of innocent lives and reiterated that negligence in the health sector would not be tolerated under any circumstances. She assured the public that justice would be served and that those responsible — whether in public or private healthcare — would be held fully accountable.
“This is not just a matter of negligence, it’s a matter of life and death,” the chief minister stated. “We are committed to ensuring that no such tragedy repeats itself. Strict action will be taken against all those found guilty, and we are reviewing healthcare protocols to prevent such lapses in the future.”
The incident has once again highlighted the deep-rooted issues in Pakistan’s healthcare system, especially in rural and under-resourced districts. As the investigation continues, authorities are under pressure to not only hold individuals accountable but also to bring about systemic reforms to prevent similar tragedies.
Meanwhile, the grieving families continue to demand justice and improvements in healthcare standards. Their calls resonate across the province as citizens look to the government for answers and assurance that such negligence will not be repeated.
