The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has demanded a judicial inquiry into the deaths of several newborn babies in the emergency department of DHQ Hospital Pakpattan between June 16 and 22, 2025.
Expressing deep sorrow over these deaths, the association deemed the hospital’s internal inquiry insufficient. PMA Secretary General Dr. Abdul Ghafoor Shoro stated that while the report acknowledges the deaths, it does not fully address the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.
The PMA has called for an independent judicial inquiry, headed by a senior judicial officer, to comprehensively assess the quality of care, resource availability, and any administrative issues at the hospital.
The inquiry should examine medical protocols, emergency procedures, equipment, medicines, and staffing levels within the emergency department, nursery, pediatric ward, and measles wards. Furthermore, it should identify any administrative negligence or infrastructural deficiencies that may have compromised patient welfare.
Emphasizing the need for accountability, the PMA has demanded that those responsible for negligence or administrative lapses be held legally accountable. The organization stands in solidarity with the grieving families and demands a transparent investigation to prevent such incidents in the future. The PMA stresses the importance of child health and the public’s right to know whether medical facilities are safe and responsive.