rawalpindi - Increasing cases of refusal of admission to pregnant women in the government-run hospitals has created unrest among the people while the Punjab government has turned a blind eye to the worrying issue and left the poor patients at the mercy of discourteous doctors.

Two most unfortunate cases were happened in Gujar Khan where two expecting women were refused to admit in the Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital.

In the first incident, an expecting woman namely Naheed Bibi was brought into the Gynae Ward in a critical condition but the doctors did not provide her adequate medical treatment and later on referred her to the Holy Family Hospital (HFH). However, the woman died before reaching the HFH. The heirs of the deceased lady also staged a protest demonstration against the negligence of doctors of THQ Gujar Khan.

Taking notice of the sad incident, Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Raffique ordered EDO health Rawalpindi to hold inquiry into the incident. The EDO found MS THQ Dr Pervaiz and Gynae Head of Department Dr Sadaqat guilty of showing negligence in case of pregnant woman that led to her death. The EDO also recommended immediate transfer of the two doctors from THQ Gujar Khan besides referring their matter to Punjab Health Care Commission for further action.

Surprisingly, the government has taken no action against the guilty doctors who while taking advantage of lethargic attitude of the high authorities again refused to admit another expecting woman namely Razia Bibi in the THQ hospital Gujara Khan who gave birth to a baby in a moving ambulance in Rawat.

According to family members of the woman, the doctors refused to treat her because she was suffering with breath problem and referred her to HFH. The people in Gujar Khan lashed out at government on Saturday while talking to The Nation. Raja Asim, an advocate, said the MS and Gynae Department Head have become a mafia and putting the lives of patients at great risk.

He said the government has built the THQ to provide treatment to poor patients but the two doctors have been considering the hospital as their private clinic where no patient could be admitted without their consents. He demanded Chief Minister Punjab to take action against the accused doctors.

Salima Bibi, a resident of Jhangi, said she had taken her expecting daughter in law to THQ for medical treatment but the doctors have advised her to go the HFH or BBH for medical treatment.

“Is this a government-run hospital or private clinic of doctors,” she questioned. She added the area people would soon stage a protest demo outside the THQ and would block GT Road.  Many others lashed out at lethargic attitude of government and high of health department saying MS Dr Pervaiz and Dr Sadaqat were involved in mistreating the patients. Both should be fired from service and appoint some competent doctors in the hospital to provide medical treatment to patients, the people said.

Provincial Minister Health Khawaja Salman Raffique and Secretary Health Ali Jan neither attended their cell phones nor responded to SMSs sent by this correspondent on their personnel cell numbers to know their official versions on the issues.