TAXILA: The district health authorities on Sunday suspended a female medical officer at Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital Jand for alleged negligence, after a woman gave birth to a baby girl in a rickshaw, and the infant later died due to a lack of medical care.

The incident has sparked public outrage, with people demanding accountability and improved healthcare facilities at government hospitals, especially in rural and underprivileged areas.

Due to public outcry, protests from relatives of the victim, and social pressure, the chief executive of the district health authority, Dr Asad Ismail, formed a probe committee led by District Health Officer, Dr Kashif Hussain. Assistant Commissioner Ahmed Ali Raza and Deputy District Officer of Health, Dr Waseem, are also part of the committee to examine the circumstances and determine responsibilityforthe tragicincidentthat resulted in the baby`s death.

It is worth noting that Nazia Rasool wife of Muhammad Ishaq a rickshaw driver who is speechimpaired, and their family, described as extremely poor, were not provided an ambulance even in an emergency situation. The family was forced to take a rickshaw, and during the journey, the woman gave birth at Jand Railway Station, where the newborn died on the spot.

According to the patient, she was kept at the hospitalforoverthree hours before being referred to District Headquarters Hospital, Attock, which contributed to her baby`s death and put her own life at risk.

The probe committee has been instructed to submit their findings for further departmental action.

It is also mentioned that the hospital, established to serve a population of over 300,000, lacks an operating theatre. Many patients requiring surgery have died en route to Attock and Rawalpindi.