Pakpattan Hospital infant deaths raise alarms over medical negligence, accountability
PAKPATTAN: A harrowing tragedy has emerged from DHQ Hospital Pakpattan, where 20 infants reportedly died in a single week in June 2025. This alarming series of deaths has triggered public outrage and prompted the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) to demand a judicial inquiry, citing potential medical negligence and systemic failures.
According to an internal inquiry report issued by the hospital, 15 of the deceased were newborns, many of whom are believed to have died due to the non-availability of oxygen cylinders during delivery. The deaths, particularly the five fatalities recorded in a single night, have drawn criticism over hospital protocols and resource management.
Yet, in a controversial conclusion, the inquiry committee—comprised of hospital doctors and nurses—classified the deaths as “natural causes”, effectively clearing the hospital administration of any wrongdoing. This verdict has shocked both the public and health experts, especially given the Rs. 27.5 million already spent on oxygen in 2024, alongside a pending Rs. 25 million bill with a Multan-based chemical supplier.
PMA calls for urgent judicial investigation
The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) responded strongly, expressing profound grief, anger, and concern over the incident, which occurred between June 16 and June 22, 2025. The apex body of the medical practitioners called for a high-level independent judicial inquiry, warning that an internal investigation lacks the transparency and authority needed to bring justice.
“This is an unbearable tragedy that demands immediate and comprehensive accountability,” the PMA stated. “We believe that negligence, systemic failures, or both may be at the heart of these deaths.”
Key areas for judicial inquiry
The PMA has urged the government to commission an inquiry led by a senior judicial officer empowered to investigate across several domains:
- Medical protocols and care quality: Evaluation of the treatment processes and the competency of healthcare staff in emergency and pediatric units.
- Availability of critical resources: Inspection of life-saving equipment, especially oxygen supplies, and staffing adequacy in children’s wards.
- Administrative lapses: Review of internal procedures and budgeting irregularities that may have jeopardized infant safety.
- Accountability measures: Legal and professional actions against individuals or entities found guilty of negligence or misconduct.
Growing public demand for transparency
The local community and human rights advocates are rallying around the grieving families, questioning the dismissive nature of the official report. With three additional infant deaths following the initial investigation, the urgency of the situation continues to grow.
The public trust in DHQ Hospital Pakpattan is now under serious threat, as many are asking: How could a hospital spend tens of millions on oxygen and still run out when lives were at stake?
For a country already battling healthcare access challenges, this tragedy underscores the critical need for reforms, transparency, and genuine patient-centric governance in Pakistan’s public health system.
The PMA has pledged full support to the affected families, reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding public health and demanding that no responsible party escapes scrutiny or justice.
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