Pakpattan/Lahore: On the direct orders of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Medical Superintendent (MS) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of DHQ Hospital Pakpattan were arrested on Saturday following the tragic deaths of 20 children allegedly due to medical negligence.
During a surprise inspection of the hospital, CM Maryam found serious mismanagement, unused equipment, and medicine shortages — despite government funding. She personally visited multiple wards and interacted with patients and their families, who raised concerns about being forced to buy medicines from outside despite hospital stores being stocked.
“It’s not a shortage of doctors — it’s a shortage of service,” said the CM. She was infuriated by the lack of free medicine announcements and the presence of critical equipment sitting idle. She ordered an immediate audit of hospital inventory and strict action against those found guilty.
After reviewing the inquiry report, Maryam Nawaz declared the situation criminal negligence and ordered the arrest of CO Health Dr. Sohail Asghar and MS Dr. Adnan Ghaffar. A formal FIR has been registered.
The report revealed that hospital consultants neglected rounds, critical machinery was unused, and emergency protocols were being ignored. Pediatric incubators were available but non-functional, and most staff were untrained in emergency response.
Further actions included sealing three private labs involved in misconduct with hospital staff, terminating technicians, and ordering the arrest of a parking company’s management for overcharging patients.
The CM also banned mobile phone usage by hospital staff during duty and instructed the introduction of a pager system for internal communication. She emphasized that hospital negligence is as deadly as weapons and warned that the responsible must face not just legal consequences but moral accountability as well.
“Do people come to hospitals to die?” Maryam asked sternly, demanding complete inquiry outcomes within a week and immediate administrative overhaul, including appointing a new MS from Sahiwal.
