Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz conducted a surprise visit to District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital Pakpattan. She took strict action against negligence, mismanagement, and patient exploitation reported at the facility.
During her visit, patients and their families lodged numerous complaints, highlighting issues. That included poor hospital management, lack of timely treatment, and being forced to buy medicines from outside despite the hospital having an adequate supply.
An investigation revealed that hospital staff had allegedly colluded with private pharmacies to divert patients away from in-house medicine provisions.
In response, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz immediately ordered the arrest of CEO Health Pakpattan Dr. Sohail Asghar and Medical Superintendent (MS) Dr. Adnan Ghaffar for criminal negligence. A new MS has been appointed from Sahiwal to take charge of the hospital.
Further complaints revealed that patients were being charged Rs. 50 to Rs. 100 as a parking fee. Taking serious notice of overcharging, Maryam Nawaz directed authorities to arrest the owner and in-charge of the parking company.
Three lab technicians were terminated from service for colluding with private diagnostic labs. Additionally, three private laboratories were sealed for their involvement in unethical practices with hospital staff.
Deputy Commissioner Pakpattan asked to relinquish his post
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also ordered Deputy Commissioner Pakpattan to relinquish his post, citing administrative failure. She called for a comprehensive audit of the hospital’s equipment. She emphasized that harsh decisions are necessary to make public officials accountable.
During the inspection, it was observed that air conditioners were running in the administrative offices but remained non-functional in patient wards. Hospital staff received a strong reprimand for failing to provide medicine from the store despite its availability.
In a move to overhaul emergency response, the Chief Minister ordered the implementation of the Code Red and Code Blue systems in all public hospitals. She also instructed authorities to enforce a ban on mobile phone use by doctors and paramedical staff during duty hours and recommended the introduction of a pager system for internal hospital communication. She directed that all ongoing inquiries be completed within a week.
Maryam Nawaz personally visited various hospital wards, the pharmacy store, and laboratory, and interacted with patients to inquire about the quality of care and medicine availability.
“Medicines are available in the store, yet patients are being forced to buy them from outside. We are allocating Rs. 100 billion for medicines, so why are people not receiving them? A single hospital round has exposed the true situation.”
She added that 90 percent of patients at DHQ Hospital Pakpattan reported being asked to purchase medicines from outside. “Essential medical equipment lies unused in storage. There is no shortage of staff, only a shortage of compassion. Do people come to hospitals to die? Those guilty of criminal negligence must answer to God. You may escape accountability here, but not divine justice.”
Inquiry Report Highlights Alarming Shortcomings
An inquiry report confirmed that the MS had failed in his administrative duties and was not providing sufficient oversight of the hospital consultants. The required machinery was present in the store but was not being used. The report also noted that senior doctors do not conduct night rounds, and pediatric incubators are non-functional.
DHQ Hospital Pakpattan was found to be non-compliant with several standards of the Punjab Healthcare Commission, and emergency protocols were reportedly not being followed. Additionally, critical care staff lacked proper training.
The Chief Minister’s visit has sparked urgent reforms and highlighted the dire need for accountability and efficiency in the public healthcare system.