PHC holds 3 doctors responsible for another doctor’s death

LAHORE: The Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) has declared doctors of Services Hospital responsible for the death of a doctor of Jinnah Hospital due to negligence in the Emergency of the Services Hospital, Lahore.

According to the commission’s report, it had initiated an inquiry on November 24, 2021, “on the motion of the Lahore High Court”. Dr. Iftikhar Ali, the complainant, had taken his son Dr. Salman (patient, PG trainee of Surgery at Jinnah Hospital, Lahore) for pain in abdomen to Services Hospital, Lahore, on June 3, 2020, where six doctors, who are postgraduate (PG) trainees, labelled him as a Covid patient despite evidence to the contrary. The report says the ultrasonography of abdomen, however, was suggestive of intestinal (duodenal) perforation. The doctors shifted the patient to the Medical ER without communicating to PGR Med Unit 2. Resultantly, the patient died.

After the inquiry, including careful perusal of the record and thorough deliberations, the Board of Commissioners of PHC, held the hospital administration guilty of mal-administration, and imposed a fine of Rs500,000. The board found Dr. Muhammad Kashif, Dr. Abdul Wadood, Dr. Ali Rehman guilty of medical negligence and professional misconduct. Hence, the cases have been referred to PM&DC and Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department for further action in accordance with law.

The Board of Commissioners of PHC has instructed that the Principal Services Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS) to enhance timely and effective communication and coordination among all departments. Additionally, it was advised to ensure the availability of Senior Registrar round the clock for the proper management of patients.