WEB DESK: In a shocking incident of negligence, an elderly patient was found dead after being locked in a room for several days during a VIP visit at Mianwali’s District Headquarters Hospital.
According to media reports, the patient, Mohammad Ali, had been admitted to the general ward after fracturing his left leg in an accident in Isakhel Tehsil. Mentally challenged and unable to speak properly, Ali had no family members visiting him, according to hospital sources.
Following complaints from other patients in the ward, Ali was moved to another room. During a visit by the Punjab health secretary, hospital staff, fearing that Ali might cause a disturbance, transferred him to a vacant storeroom and locked it from the outside.
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The staff then forgot to bring him out of the storeroom.
Ali’s body was discovered days later when a foul odor from his decomposing body spread through the hospital.
Upon hearing the news, Mianwali Deputy Commissioner Khalid Javed Goraiya immediately arrived at the scene and ordered an inquiry into the incident. Dr Rafique Khan, DHO (HR), was appointed to lead the inquiry committee.
The hospital administration buried Ali as an unknown person, and an autopsy report is still pending to determine the cause of death.
Meanwhil, Dr Amir Ahmed, the medical superintendent, told local media that it was a tragic incident and assured that the patient had been provided with all necessary facilities. He stated that those responsible for the negligence would be held accountable.
