Two die, 16 injured in Gujrat hospital roof collapse

LALAMUSA: Two people died and 16 others were injured when the roof of the female surgical ward of Gujrat’s Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Teaching Hospital collapsed Wednesday.

Among the victims were not only patients but also the hospital staff. As the debris settled, the true extent of the catastrophe became evident: 18 individuals, including three hospital employees, six female patients, and other individuals seeking medical care, found themselves buried under the rubble.

A woman identified as Aswad Bibi and a man named Afzal succumbed to their injuries. The aftermath of the collapse has prompted both sorrow and outrage within the community. Questions regarding the safety measures in place at the hospital have been raised, particularly as construction work (revamping) was reportedly underway at the time of the incident.

Concerns over potential negligence loom large, prompting the authorities to launch a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances leading to the collapse.

Gujrat Deputy Commissioner Safdar Hussain while speaking to ‘The News,’ has pledged to take legal action against those found responsible for any lapses in safety protocols or negligence.

The DC said stringent measures will be implemented to ensure accountability and prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.

Dr. Asif Mehmood, the Medical Superintendent of the Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Hospital, claimed that patients were successfully evacuated.

“There is some minor damage due to the collapse of the ceiling of the corridor between the female surgical wards. We have rescued all the patients. Things are under control,” he said. City Circle DSP Asad Ishaaq linked the collapse to negligence on the part of the contractor overseeing the renovation works.

“The ground floor was empty while patients were being treated on the first floor. During the construction work on the ground floor, the roof of the first floor and a side wall collapsed,” he said. Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique expressed deep regret over the incident.

The minister has pledged a thorough investigation to ascertain accountability and ensure that such tragedies are prevented in the future.

Concurrently, the C&W Department has been mobilised to assess the structural integrity of the hospital premises, while rescue efforts continue unabated. Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has also taken notice of the incident.

In a statement, she underscored the gravity of the situation, asserting that all individuals found to have contributed to the tragedy through negligence must be held to account.

She has directed the health secretary to conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident and submit a comprehensive report.