Imran Zakir
KARACHI: The family of a 23-year-old woman, Misbah Hamza, has demanded an independent and impartial inquiry into the death of her newborn at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), alleging medical negligence and mistreatment by hospital staff.
The demand was made at a press conference attended by Human Rights Council of Pakistan (HRCP) General Secretary Ayaz Mughal, Soch Aurat Sindh President Javeria, HRCP Sindh legal adviser Advocate Kamran and members of the affected family.
According to medical documents shared with the HRCP, Ms Hamza was admitted to JPMC’s gynaecology department in an emergency condition on Sept 11. The records mention placenta previa, high blood pressure, a surgical procedure, a complicated delivery and hysterectomy.
The newborn’s death certificate cites Grade III hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE), abruptio placenta and cardiopulmonary arrest as causes of death.
The family alleged that despite repeated complaints about the patient’s deteriorating condition and blood pressure reportedly exceeding 200, timely medical attention was not provided, after which she allegedly suffered a stroke. It further alleged that the patient and her attendants were mistreated and subjected to coercion and violence before being expelled from the hospital.
Mr Mughal said such incidents could not simply be dismissed as medical complications, but stressed that no doctor or health worker should be held responsible without a transparent investigation based on complete medical records and expert opinion.
He also said any violence or harassment against doctors, nurses and other health workers was unacceptable and should be dealt with according to law if established.
The family demanded that the Sindh government and health department constitute an independent inquiry board comprising a gynaecologist, neonatologist, neurologist and medico-legal experts. It also called for immediate preservation of operation notes, nursing charts, blood-pressure records, medication details, laboratory reports, CCTV footage and complete NICU records.
The inquiry, it said, should determine whether diagnosis and treatment were provided in accordance with established protocols after the onset of severe hypertension and neurological symptoms.
The JPMC spokesperson, Dr Waqas, was contacted repeatedly for the hospital’s version but did not respond to queries.
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