SAHIWAL: A 24-year-old woman died during a second surgery at a private hospital here on Saturday, sparking a strong protest from her family.

Shamim Kousar, wife of Zulgarnain, a resident of Chak 70/4-R, had earlier undergone a C-section at the hospitalnear the Goal Chowk. Family members alleged that she suffered internal complications during the first surgery. She had also lost her baby during the procedure. Following post-operation complications, she was brought back to the hospital for treatment where her second surgery was done.

Kousar`s first operation was done three months back and her baby had died during surgery.

After the second surgery, her condition deteriorated and doctors referred her to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH),Okara. Family rushed her to CMH in critical condition; however, the CMH doctors informed the family that she had died nearly four hours before arrival. The enraged relatives brought the body back to the private hospital, placed it on the road and staged a protest, blocking the main road. The family accused the doctors, owners and paramedics of the private hospital of severe medical negligence. When the situation got worse, police were called to the scene. DSP City Fayyaz negotiated with the protesters, who agreed to clear the road after assurances of due legal action against the hospital. The post-mortem was done at the Sahiwal Teaching Hospital.

Azhar Naqvi, CEO Health, told Dawn `We cannot take direct action against a registered private hospital and a reference would be sent to the Punjab Healthcare Commission`. The operating theatre of the hospital has been sealed by the authorities.