Elderly Patient Tragically Dies Due to Hospital Negligence

An unfortunate incident occurred at Mianwali’s District Headquarters Hospital, where an elderly patient named Mohammad Ali met a tragic end after being unintentionally locked in a room for several days. Ali, who was both mentally challenged and had suffered a leg injury, was initially admitted to the general ward. However, due to his unique needs and the absence of family support, he was later relocated to a different room following complaints from other patients.

During a visit by the Punjab health secretary, hospital staff made the decision to move Ali to an empty storage room and locked it to prevent any disruption during the VIP visit. Regrettably, they forgot about Ali, and his lifeless body was only discovered days later due to a foul smell emanating from the room. In response to this tragic event, the Deputy Commissioner of Mianwali promptly launched an investigation, appointing DHO (HR) Dr. Rafique Khan to lead the inquiry.

After the discovery of Ali's body, the hospital administration conducted a burial for him as an unidentified individual, awaiting an autopsy report to ascertain the cause of death. Dr. Amir Ahmed, the medical superintendent, expressed profound remorse over the incident, assuring that Ali had received the necessary care and pledging to hold those accountable for the negligence.

The untimely demise of Mohammad Ali due to negligence at the hospital serves as a stark reminder of the importance of proper patient care and oversight. It highlights the need for stringent protocols to prevent such tragic incidents from occurring in the future, emphasizing the critical role of accountability and transparency in healthcare facilities.