TAXILA: A newborn baby girl died after her mother was denied `timely treatment` at the tehsil headquarters hospital in Jand, which prompted a protest by the grieving family, who alleged `medical negligence` and demanded action from the Punjab chief minister and health authorities.

According to the family, the pregnant woman, a resident of Mohallah Station, remained at THQ hospital for over three hours before being referred to District Headquarters Hospital, Attock. Her husband, Muhammad Ishaq, a speechimpaired rickshaw driver, was not provided with an ambulance in an emergency situation. The family was forced to travel in a rickshaw. During the journey, she gave birth near Jand Railway Station, and the newborn died on the spot.

Meanwhile, the family protested and questioned why a critical patient was not treated at the local hospital. `They kept her for hours and later refusedtreatment when the delivery became complicated,` said Muhammad Pervaiz.

Another family member added, `This is not just about losing a child. It reflects the collapse of our healthcare system.

The family urged the Punjab government to hold hospital staff accountable and investigate why doctors, especially women medical officers, allegedly discourage deliveries at THQ Hospital and refer patients elsewhere.

When contacted, Deputy District Officer Dr Waseem confirmed the incident, adding that the patient was nonbooked and visited the hospital at the eleventh hour of delivery. As C-section was required for safe delivery of the baby, and hospital has no functional operation theatre (OT), the patient was referred to the DHQ Attock.

Responding to a question about the delay, he said that the women medical officers tried to perform the delivery through normal procedure, but keeping in view the vitals and child movement, the woman was referred. He also added that an inquiry would be launched accordingly.