LAHORE: The alarming medical crisis at Mayo Hospital Lahore has worsened as the death toll from the adverse reaction to the Ceftriaxone injection has risen to two. A second patient, identified as Daulat Khan, who had been on a ventilator following a severe reaction, succumbed to complications, further intensifying concerns over drug safety protocols in Punjab’s public healthcare system.
The tragedy first unfolded when Noreen, a 36-year-old patient, passed away in the Chest Surgery Ward after allegedly suffering a fatal reaction to the antibacterial injection. Initially, 15 other patients were affected, but the number later rose to 18 individuals. Following the first casualty, the Punjab government immediately imposed a province-wide ban on Ceftriaxone, pending an investigation into its procurement and safety standards.
Government Response & Investigation
Punjab’s Secretary of Health, Azmat Mahmood, confirmed the deaths and assured the public that a high-level inquiry is underway. The Health Minister of Punjab, Salman Rafiq, stated that the tragedy resulted from human error in the preparation of the injection, as it was mistakenly mixed in an improper solution. He emphasized that strict action will be taken against the responsible nursing staff.
A committee led by Prof. Dr. Asrar-ul-Haq has been assigned to investigate the incident, while authorities are also probing the procurement process to determine whether the injection underwent proper laboratory testing before being supplied to hospitals. It has been reported that Mayo Hospital did not directly purchase the medicine, as it was procured centrally by the Director General of Health Punjab.
Rising Concerns Over Drug Safety
The Punjab government now faces mounting pressure to enhance pharmaceutical oversight and enforce stringent drug safety regulations. The Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has taken personal notice of the issue, demanding a full accountability report and ensuring that the affected patients receive the best possible medical care.
The crisis has also prompted a review of hospital medication preparation procedures, as experts warn that inadequate training and lack of stringent protocols in administering injections could lead to further tragedies.
Call to Action:
This devastating incident highlights the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in Pakistan’s public healthcare system. Authorities must ensure strict drug quality testing, enforce accountability, and train medical staff to prevent such fatal errors. The people of Punjab deserve safe and reliable healthcare—immediate action is necessary to restore public trust.
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