Two panels formed after political worker dies amid lack of coordination between hospitals
RAWALPINDI:
A man died allegedly due to poor coordination between Rawalpindi’s three public hospitals for ventilator transfer.
According to sources, despite the availability of a total of 168 ventilators across three government hospitals, the alleged lack of timely coordination for shifting a patient to another hospital where a ventilator was available resulted in the death of a worker of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
The medical superintendent of Holy Family Hospital has constituted two separate committees to investigate the matter.
According to sources, Anjum Iqbal Mughal was brought to Holy Family Hospital on Monday morning after his condition deteriorated.
Due to the unavailability of a ventilator there, his transfer to Benazir Bhutto General Hospital was allegedly delayed for a considerable period.
Family sources claimed that the administration of Holy Family Hospital failed to ensure timely coordination to confirm ventilator availability at Benazir Bhutto General Hospital. After a prolonged delay, when Anjum Iqbal Mughal was shifted to BBGH, where a ventilator was available, doctors pronounced him dead before he could be placed on life support.
Medical Superintendent of Holy Family Hospital, Dr Ijaz Butt, said that two separate inquiry committees had been formed — one headed by the Head of Department and another led by a senior doctor – to conduct a comprehensive investigation.
The committees will determine whether there was a delay in the patient’s admission and subsequent transfer to Benazir Bhutto General Hospital, and what treatment measures were taken at Holy Family Hospital. He said strict legal action would be initiated if negligence or carelessness is established.
At Holy Family Hospital, two out of 72 ventilators are under warranty maintenance. At Benazir Bhutto General Hospital, eight out of 71 ventilators are non-functional and at Rawalpindi Teaching Hospital, three out of 25 ventilators are non-functional.
Ventilators have been distributed and installed in various departments, including paediatrics, surgical, gynaecology, ICU, CCU, emergency and medical units, according to need.
Under protocol, a ventilator is provided to a patient only if available. In case of non-availability and urgent need, immediate coordination with another public hospital is required.
Once availability is confirmed, the patient is to be shifted in an ambulance with oxygen support and accompanied by a doctor.
