‘Oxygen non-availability’: four children die in Lady Reading Hospital

PESHAWAR: Four children have died at the Paeds Ward of the Lady Reading Hospital due to alleged non-availability of oxygen during the last 24 years.

The hospital spokesman says the deaths could have been caused by different diseases. Health Minister Shahram Tarkai took note of the deaths and sought a report.

According to sources, four children – Zakir Khan, Hamza, Muhammad and Ubaid ‑ died due to less supply of oxygen as they were being given oxygen through cylinders. The ward has been set up recently and there are no proper arrangements to administer oxygen.

The incident remained a hot topic on the social media on Tuesday. The hospital spokesman said oxygen was available in the hospital in abundance. He said in case of non-availability of oxygen, there could be several deaths in the hospital every day. Contacted LRH Children Ward Incharge Dr Musa Kaleem said there was no complaint about oxygen. He said children were falling victim to chest infection and pneumonia due to cold. He said he was not aware of the deaths in the ward. He said hundreds of children were admitted to the hospital OPD every day.