The Health CEO of Pakpattan and the Medical Superintendent (MS) have been arrested following the death of 20 children at DHQ Hospital.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz ordered their arrest during a surprise visit to the hospital on Friday. The action came after complaints of medical negligence and mismanagement.
The Health CEO, Dr. Sohail Asghar, and MS, Dr. Adnan Ghaffar, were taken into custody. A case has been registered against them. A new MS from Sahiwal has been appointed to take charge immediately.
During her visit, CM Maryam spoke directly with patients and their families. They complained about poor treatment, a lack of medicines, and non-functional equipment.
An official inquiry found that the hospital had working incubators, but they were not used. Doctors failed to make regular rounds. Emergency systems were missing or ignored.
The Health CEO was also blamed for trying to hide key details of the incident. The CM said that negligence by top hospital officials would not be tolerated.
She announced a series of urgent reforms:
- Lab technicians linked to private labs were dismissed
- A full audit of hospital equipment was ordered
- A ban on mobile phone use by staff during duty was introduced
- ACs in staff offices were turned off and redirected to patient areas
CM Maryam called this negligence a form of cruelty and warned that strict action will follow.
The arrest of the Health CEO is part of a broader accountability drive in Punjab’s healthcare system. Investigations are ongoing, and more reforms are expected soon to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz launches Phase Two of ‘Clinics on Wheels’ to expand free healthcare access across Punjab. Learn more here: Maryam Nawaz Launches Phase Two of ‘Clinics on Wheels’ for Free Healthcare.
