Punjab Health Department suspends nurses after fatal Ceftriaxone injection reaction at Mayo Hospital

LAHORE: The Punjab Health Department has released an inquiry report holding nursing staff responsible for the fatal reactions to Ceftriaxone injections at Mayo Hospital Lahore. The report directly attributes the deaths of two patients and severe adverse drug reactions in 18 others to negligence in drug preparation and administration.

Suspensions and Show-Cause Notices Issued

Following the inquiry, three nurses—Saima Seher, Nazia Hassan, and Sunaina Khalid—have been suspended for serious lapses in handling Ceftriaxone injections. Authorities have also issued show-cause notices, directing them to submit written responses within seven days and report to the Punjab Health Department.

The investigation committee found that improper reconstitution, dilution, and administration of the powdered antibiotic injection, coupled with poor dispensing practices, led to life-threatening complications in multiple patients admitted to the Chest Surgery Ward on March 9, 2025.

Death Toll Rises, Government Ban on Ceftriaxone

The crisis escalated when a second patient, Daulat Khan, who had been on ventilator support after suffering a severe reaction, succumbed to complications. Earlier, a 36-year-old patient, Noreen, had died under similar circumstances. The number of affected patients initially stood at 15 but later increased to 18.

Urgent Reforms Needed in Hospital Safety Protocols

The Mayo Hospital crisis underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms in medication preparation and administration protocols. Experts warn that improper training and inadequate monitoring of hospital staff could lead to further preventable tragedies. Calls for stringent drug safety regulations and better oversight of medical practices continue to grow, with authorities under pressure to take decisive action to prevent future incidents.