An inquiry report of a girl’s death due to the alleged negligence of the doctors practising at the Civil Hospital, Karachi (CHK) was submitted on Tuesday. However, the exact cause of death could not be determined because of the lack of a post-mortem examination, according to the hospital’s official.

The cause of death could not be ascertained. Neither was a post-mortem examination conducted and neither did the relatives did deem it necessary, said a member of the inquiry committee comprising three senior doctors of the CHK, which was set up under the instructions by the Provincial Minister, Dr. Sagheer Ahmed.

He stated, Ms Samina, 28, was a diabetic patient and she had been getting treatments since Monday morning. However, she could not recover from the shock. She might have died of a “brain damage” or MI (myocardial infarction), he suggested. Although, a doctor and male nurse have been taken into custody by the concerned authorities on the charges of negligence and the police investigation is still underway, he said.

A senior doctor on the condition of anonymity said that the patient’s relative bought an injection recommended by the doctor from a medical store. The relative did not get the injection approved by the doctor and instead directly gave it to a nurse who administered the same to the patient. When the patient died, the relatives blamed the doctor for recommending the “dead injection,” which allegedly caused her death.

Sindh Minister for health, Dr. Saghir Ahmed told The News that on the account of the incident given by the relatives suggested that the girl died of “wrong injection.” He added that subsequently the relatives lodged an FIR and a doctor and paramedical member were detained by the police for further interrogation.

He confirmed that the inquiry report has been submitted, although so far he has not seen its contents.
Source: The News
Date:7/10/2008