JHANG City News

Poor girl loses arm after being ‘denied’ early treatment

From Our Correspondent

JHANG: A 10-year-old poor girl, who was allegedly denied treatment at the BHU and the RHC after she was injured about four months ago, was deprived of her right arm after an operation at the DHQ Hospital here on Friday.

Najma d/o labourer Jafar of Pir Kot Sadhana was playing near a tube-well when she fell on its belt about four months ago. As a result, her arms broke. She was taken to the BHU and the RHC but she was allegedly not provided treatment there. As her parents did not afford treatment at a private hospital, they contacted a local uncertified orthopaedic and started treatment at home. About four days ago, when condition of the girl became critical, she was shifted to the DHQ Hospital orthopaedic ward. After examining the patient, the orthopaedic consultant pointed out that her right arm had completely damaged due to poor treatment and delay in surgical services. He suggested that there was no other option except to cut the half right arm of the girl to avoid damage to further part of the hand. On Friday, the doctors conducted an operation and cut her right arm from the point of elbow. On Thursday, while talking to newsmen, the girl with tears in her eyes said that if she was a granddaughter of the prime minister or the Punjab chief minister she was provided treatment in an upgraded hospital to avoid cutting of her hand.

When contacted, DHQ Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Mumtaz Sial said that the girl was shifted to the hospital in a critical condition about four days ago. He said that she was being provided free medicines and best treatment in the hospital.